Part 1
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REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND PLANNING
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TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR HOUSING
ON 27th September 2007
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TITLE: Tender process for Target Hardening works
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RECCOMMENDATIONS: That Lead member for Housing approves
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The tender process for delivery of target hardening works.
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That the existing contractors may continue to carry out target hardening
works until appointment of new suppliers of this service.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This report seeks approval to carry out the tender process
to appoint suitably qualified companies or individuals for the delivery of target
hardening works as detailed below. The procurement process will take some months
to complete and to ensure continuity in service delivery during this period, existing
arrangements will need to be extended.
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BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS: None
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ASSESSMENT OF RISK: Low – The tender will be carried out by the Corporate
Procurement Team in accordance with Contractual standing orders.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING: - Funding for any works allocated to successful applicants
will be identified and approved prior to works being carried out. The estimate of this
contract is based solely on works given out by the Housing Crime Reduction Team
over the last 3 years and it is clearly identified within the Contract Specification that
this is intended as a guide and the Council will not be liable should this figure
change.
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LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: Pauline Lewis – The clear procurement strategy has been
developed for this service to maximise the benefits of longer term arrangements to
match funding arrangements and local needs. A formal contract will be required to
ensure that the service is delivered in compliance with the service specification.
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COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS – All residents who will be offered target
hardening will be contacted via post. Some meetings will be held with residents
where we are carrying out scheme works in specific areas.
PROPERTY: The services provided under this contract will be delivered cross tenure
to all different types of domestic properties.
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HUMAN RESOURCES: No issues
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CONTACT OFFICER: Victoria Ryan 0161 604 7719 victoria.ryan@salford.gov.uk
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WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): All
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KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:
Salford Community Safety Strategy 2005 - 2008
Salford’s Housing Strategy
The City Council’s Mission Statement is ‘to create the best quality of life for
the people of Salford’. To achieve this Mission, the Council has made 6
pledges to all its local communities.
Alley gating schemes contribute towards the delivery of many of the pledges,
namely, Pledge 2 - Reducing Crime in Salford, Pledge 5 – Promoting
Inclusion in Salford and Pledge 7 – Enhancing Life in Salford.
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DETAILS:
1.0
Purpose of the report
1.1
To seek approval to commence the procurement process through to
the point where recommendations are to be made for appointment of
suitably qualified companies or persons to provide the service known
as target hardening. The procurement process will be undertaken
following guidance from the Corporate Procurement Team, and in
accordance with Contractual Standing Orders. It is anticipated that a
further report will be submitted to Lead Member once the procurement
process has been completed and recommendations can be made as to
which company(ies) should be appointed.
2.0
Background
2.1
The Housing Crime Reduction Team is a City Council run project set
up in 2000 to reduce the number of burglaries across the City of
Salford. There is evidence that target hardening schemes are a cost
effective way of reducing domestic burglary and fear of crime. Target
Hardening is the installation of basic security measures to individual
properties. By doing this you deter offenders and reduce the likelihood
of burglars gaining access to a property. According to the British Crime
Survey, 72% of attempted burglaries failed because of the protection
provided by basic security measures.
2.2
The Housing Crime Reduction Team work in conjunction with Greater
Manchester Police who refer those who have been a victim of
burglary/burglaries. As well as this scheme, work is also identified and
carried out in the areas with the highest number of burglaries.
2.3
As part of these works the Housing Crime Reduction Team carry out
home surveys on vulnerable properties and make recommendations on
how to improve the overall security. The works that can be undertaken
include the fitting of:
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Burglar Alarm
Window Locks
Door Locks
Window grilles
Security Lights
Door viewers
Door chains and many more
2.4
Currently this work is being carried out under a schedule of rates on a
contract that began in May 2004. The contract was due to finish in May
2007 however work is still being allocated under the terms of this
arrangement to ensure continuity of service delivery and it is
recommended that this continues until such time as new appointments
are made.
2.5
In previous years the target hardening works issued by the Housing
Crime Reduction Team reached a value of approximately £200,000 per
annum however last year this rose to £240,000, this increase was
possible due to additional funds from the Safer Stronger Communities
Fund.
3.0
Proposal
3.1
In order that the Housing Crime Reduction Team can continue to
deliver the best possible service and demonstrate value for money with
a quality service, the procurement options have been evaluated and it
is felt that a framework agreement for the target hardening works
should be over a 3 year period Given the value of service to date and
the length of time the services are required by the Council, and the
likely increase in demand and costs for this service it is possible that
the procurement route will require advertisement under the EU
procurement directives. Corporate Procurement would advise on the
arrangements for procurement and the terms of the appointment, whilst
legal services will arrange the formal appointment/contracts. The
service specification will be prepared by the Housing Crime Reduction
Team with the support of the Corporate procurement Team.
4.0
Interim arrangements
4.1
Following approval of this report and the timescales for procurement
and for continuity in the service delivery, it is recommended that the
existing contractors continue to carry out the works until the new
contract is awarded.