Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing & Public Protection

RESOLVED

i)          To approve the direction of the Community Link Service to move its technology to digital to continue operating in the field.

ii)         To waive paragraphs 15.1 b and 16.2 of the Procurement Code to allow a change to the existing contract with ChipTech.

iii)        To award a contract extension to the contract with the ChipTech for the provision of the Community Link technology equipment provided by ChipTech.

iv)        To note the changes to the Community Link Service and charges are included in the Budget for approval by Council on 9 February.

REASON

i)        The national switch to digital technology by the telecommunications industry as required by Government policy necessitates investment in the digital transformation of the Community Link Alarm Service in order to continue to provide this service.

Councillor Trisha Youtan, Cabinet Member for Housing & Public Protection, outlined the services provided by the Council’s Community Link scheme, which supported 1,700 residents across the district at a very competitive rate.  The service was tailored to individual needs and included personal alarms, smoke alarms, GPS trackers and bed sensors. 

Changes to the service were required because BT were moving from analogue to digital technology by 2025.  To continue the service all telephones and Community Link emergency call button and base units will have to be replaced.  Councillor Youtan gave details of the required price increases, as set out in the report. The 2022/23 budget included a £360k investment over a two-year period to pay for the new technology.  There would be a modest price increase for customers from July 2022 and the service would continue to be better value than comparable services.  It was noted that there had been no price increase for 10 years.

Members praised the service and the Head of Environmental Health & Licensing confirmed that each user had a personal portfolio, which enabled those in financial need to be identified so that support could be offered if required.  He also advised that the service was actively promoted, including through the NHS and Saxon Weald and had the capacity to take on further customers.

RESOLVED

i)          To approve the direction of the Community Link Service to move its technology to digital to continue operating in the field.

ii)         To waive paragraphs 15.1 b and 16.2 of the Procurement Code to allow a change to the existing contract with ChipTech.

iii)        To award a contract extension to the contract with the ChipTech for the provision of the Community Link technology equipment provided by ChipTech.

iv)       To note the changes to the Community Link Service and charges are included in the Budget for approval by Council on 9 February.

REASON

v)         The national switch to digital technology by the telecommunications industry as required by Government policy necessitates investment in the digital transformation of the Community Link Alarm Service in order to continue to provide this service.