Decision details

The Deputy Chief Executive has approved the award of a contract for the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance / Citizen Advice Service (Provision of Generalist Social Welfare Advice, Debt, Welfare Benefit and Housing Advice) to Stockport and Pennine West Citizen’s Advice

Stockport Council is committed to providing high quality, welfare advice services. These services will play an important role in maximising people’s independence and help prevent reliance and dependency on more intensive care and support.

Stockport, Rochdale and Trafford recently tendered together for a new provider. The three councils currently have very different services provided by two providers and Stockport and Trafford also have a mixture of in-house provision.

The three STaR authorities came together to procure a joint contract which will deliver a joint and yet bespoke service offer for each council each with a different budget and different in house provision. There is a shared requirement which is funded equally between all authorities for the telephone and on-line web based offer.  Each council specified their individual requirements and budget. Each council will have a separate contract with the provider and will be responsible for paying their own invoice.

 A joint bid by Stockport & Pennine West Citizen’s Advice was received which met the specification, provided service improvements and efficiency savings for all authorities. It is an annual contract which can be renewed for two further annual terms. The resulting contract has provided a saving of £26,750 for Stockport and will lead to service improvements for online and telephone advice without impacting on face-to-face advice services.  As Stockport Citizens’ Advice were successful there will be no disruption in services when the new contract is in place from 1 April 2019.

(Note: the report contains information ‘not for publication’ due to its commercial sensitivity)

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