Issue - meetings

(1)  That the proposed changes to the community equipment service and contracting model, including the introduction of simple aids to the catalogue be approved.

(2)  That it be noted that Lancashire County Council were leading this procurement on behalf of partners with an option for the Council to join the framework, subject to Executive Board approval in Spring 2025.

(3)  That the proposal to align funding of equipment for people in receipt of Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding with Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council’s approach be approved.

The Executive Board considered a report which set out progress in relation to the contracts for community equipment services serving residents of the Borough.  This service would end in June 2025 and a re-tendering process was to be undertaken.

The current service was commissioned by Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB with the Council as associates.  Lancashire County Council were leading on the re-procurement on behalf of the three partners.

The report set out the progress to date, the high-level changes proposed both in the service specification and in the operational processes, the financial implications and the process for jointly managing this contract.

The proposed changes included improved recycling of equipment, a ‘click and collect’ service for smaller items, one computer system to order equipment and improvements to the operational processes.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the proposed changes to the community equipment service and contracting model, including the introduction of simple aids to the catalogue be approved.

(2)  That it be noted that Lancashire County Council were leading this procurement on behalf of partners with an option for the Council to join the framework, subject to Executive Board approval in Spring 2025.

(3)  That the proposal to align funding of equipment for people in receipt of Continuing Healthcare (CHC) funding with Lancashire County Council and Blackpool Council’s approach be approved.