Decision details

The purpose of this report is to obtain approval to tender for a works contract to private sector housing for:
•the design, supply, installation, and servicing of Through Floor Lifts and Step lifts
•the design, supply, installation, servicing, and recycling of stairlifts.
The aim is to procure a sole supplier for each type of equipment countywide, to ensure consistency and speed of delivery. At present individual work orders are undertaken for each purchase and a wide variety of products are being installed preventing any recycling of stairlifts.
Due to the aggregate value of the works for each type of equipment being supplied and installed across the area, a longer-term contract is required. In respect of the stairlift lot, this would then progress to the development of recycling of this equipment subject to the appointed supplier successfully delivering on the design, supply, installation and servicing countywide.
The annual budget allowance for this contract is approximately £750,000.00 in total and this will be funded from the Disabled Facilities Grant budget.
The contract will be an initial 2 years with the possibility of an extension for a further 2 years.
If the contract was extended to run for the full 4 years, then the value would be £3 million plus an additional vat amount due to the recycling element of the stairlifts.

To approve the commencement of the procurement and award contracts for stairlifts and through-floor lifts, appointing one provider for each lot.

The procurement will appoint one provider for each lot: one for stairlifts and one for through-floor lifts. This approach will eliminate service fragmentation, strengthen resilience, and deliver improved outcomes for residents. It is sustainable, fully compliant, and aligned with the Council’s strategic priorities.

Maintaining the status quo was not considered viable, as the Council has a statutory obligation to deliver adaptations for residents and must comply with procurement regulations. The option of appointing multiple providers was explored but rejected due to the complexity it would introduce, the increased administrative burden, and the heightened risk of inconsistent standards across installations and ongoing maintenance. Similarly, using a framework call-off was dismissed because of the limited availability of suitable frameworks for this specialist requirement, which would likely reduce competition and result in higher costs.