The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive proposing the use of a tender process for the appointment of a third party provider to provide assistance during the transition to universal credit for a 3 year period (with an option to extend for a further year).

Resolved:-

That a tender process be used for the appointment of a provider of third party remote processing to support the Housing Benefit Team during the transition to Universal Credit.

Reason for Decision

To assist the service in ensuring a maximum subsidy claim each year in the most reliable and cost effective manner. It will allow a reduction in resource year on year, in line with Universal Credit roll out, through the life of the contract.

Other Options

1. Recruit staff on temporary contracts. It would be difficult to recruit trained staff and it takes up to a year to train a new starter.

2. Try and cover the work using overtime. This will not be sufficient and will lead to significant delays in processing which will result in subsidy qualifications and increased overpayments.

3. Recruit specialist agency staff direct. This would be more expensive than the recommended option and does not deliver the flexibility required.

Note:-This is an Executive function

This item is eligible for call in to Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor :- Moring

*Called-in to Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee