Issue - meetings

To consider the report.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive:

a.        Approved the award of three contracts for an initial period of 12 months, with an option to extend by mutual agreement for up to a further 12 months, followed by a further extension option of 24 months by mutual agreement, providing for a potential four-year contract term in total.

b.        Approved the delegation of authority to the Service Director for Housing to approve the further extensions of the contracts subject to mutual agreement.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report

The Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Governance and Communications, Cllr Bill Revans, invited the Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, to introduce the report.

The Lead Member for Communities, Housing and Culture, Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, introduced the report, highlighting: that Somerset Council owns and manages approximately 6000 social rented homes in the Taunton area (prior to April 2023, Somerset West and Taunton District) and under the capital maintenance programme needs to ensure continued compliance with the Decent Homes Regulatory Standard; that the Council has a specific need to replace approximately 300 additional kitchens in 2023/24; that the annual demand thereafter is forecast to be at a similar level; and that the Council has a need to implement a long-term programme to install replacement kitchens to its domestic properties to provide quality homes for tenants and maintain properties.

The Assistant Director, Housing Property, Ian Candlish, added to the above points, that the funding is available within the HRA ring-fenced budget and highlighted the emphasis on the social value element regarding contractor submissions.

The Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Governance and Communications, Cllr Bill Revans, invited comments from other Members present, questions and points raised included: the social value and local direct employees; the minimum kitchen standard, size and unit number and the average lifecycle of a kitchen replacements; and the component life cycle standard and tenants’ entitlements for a replacement.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive:

a.        Approved the award of three contracts for an initial period of 12 months, with an option to extend by mutual agreement for up to a further 12 months, followed by a further extension option of 24 months by mutual agreement, providing for a potential four-year contract term in total.

b.        Approved the delegation of authority to the Service Director for Housing to approve the further extensions of the contracts subject to mutual agreement.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report