Decision details

For Cheltenham Borough Council to enter into contract jointly with Cheltenham Borough Homes to appoint County Community Projects (CCP) as the Advice and Inclusion Service Provider.

Cheltenham Borough Council currently commissions an Advice and Inclusion Service to deliver debt and benefit advice, financial inclusion services and housing rights and homelessness prevention advice to residents of Cheltenham however this current contract expires in March 2017.

Cabinet took the decision on 11^th October 2016 to retender the Advice and Inclusion Contract for a 3 year period, with the option of extending the term for a further 2 years, subject to satisfactory performance and available finance. 

This service focuses on achieving key outcomes of preventing homelessness, reducing unmanageable debt, preventing future unmanageable dent from arising, improving digital inclusion for individuals claiming universal credit, maximising incomes for individuals receiving or entitled to welfare benefits, ensuring individual rights are protected and ensuring that vulnerable residents are adequately assisted in securing their rights and other outcomes.

The retender process was led by Cheltenham Borough Council, with input from Cheltenham Borough Homes, and 2 bids were received which were assessed and following evaluation and subsequent consultation with the Cabinet Member Housing it is proposed that the new contract is awarded to County Community Projects (CCP) who scored highest in the evaluation exercise. The new service will be delivered within budget.

Due to CCP being the current service provider there is not anticipated to be any disruption to the service when implementing the new contract.

No viable alternative options available.

This decision to award the advice and inclusion contract, following evaluation of the tender submissions, was taken in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing.