Issue - meetings

Emma Sheridan, Business Unit Leader for Community Services, Policy and Performance introduced the report. She sought approval to extend the existing agreements for AGE UK services within the District which continued to be critical to support vulnerable residents during the pandemic. The extension would bring the contracts in line with other agreements for other Community and Voluntary Sector organisations which are due to end in March 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Community confirmed it had been considered at a recent meeting of the Cabinet Grants Panel and supported the recommendations. The extension would give the organisations some certainty in these difficult times. The tackling of social isolation of the over 50s is important work for Age UK in the District and nationally.

The Cabinet Member for Customer Services expressed concern with the financial implications of the tendering process of West Sussex County Council (WSCC) for contracts after June 2021 and the extension of these contracts.

The Business Unit Leader confirmed that WSCC are currently tendering for many services, including this on-going work and the new contracts start next financial year.  Officers are already talking to all parties with regards to the provision of  services post-Covid and for 2022-23 onwards. This includes the possibility that organisations don’t get a contract with WSCC and the impacts of reduced contract budgets under the current WSCC tender.  It is expected that Age UK will be contracted for some services  they are aware that it may be less or different that was the case previously. Officers are working closely with the organisations to discuss new ways of workings and how they plan to deliver services post Covid. 

The Leader took Members to the recommendations which were agreed with 6 votes in favour.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet recommended to:

(i)          Extend Age UK East Grinstead an annual grant of £18,269 for one year, from   Apr 2021 - Mar 2022.

(ii)     Extend Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove an annual grant of £54,807 for one year, from Apr 2021 - Mar 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Environment & Service Delivery

re-joined the meeting at 17.09