REPORT TO DIRECTOR AND LEAD MEMBER HOUSING
SERVICES
SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH HOMELINK
TECHNOLOGIES IN RELATION TO THE PROVISION OF HOUSE ALARMS
PREPARED BY: NIGEL SEDMAN
31ST AUGUST 2001.
BACKGROUND
For a number of months Salford Housing Services has been attempting to
conclude an agreement with Homelink Technologies to provide House Alarms
for the Valley Estate in Swinton and for the Littleton Road Estate,
There have been a number of areas of the contract where Salford could not
agree to the terms proposed by Homelink as this would subject the Authority
to unnecessary risk.
In addition, due to the fact that Homelink are a new company without
accounts or assets it was considered necessary that they should provide a
performance bond. This would protect the Authority and guarantee the
performance of the service in case Homelink went into liquidation and also
cover any resulting costs.
PRESENT SITUATION
Progress has now been made in relation to the items outlined above as
follows:

The contract conditions have now virtually been agreed between the City
of Salford and Homelink Technologies. The content of the contract is fair
and reasonable for both parties.

Homelink appear able to provide a performance bond and this fact has
been confirmed in writing by their bankers.

Due to the requirement to provide a bond Homelink have submitted
revised prices for the alarm. Generally the bond requirement has added 80
pence per alarm per week. Also the alarm specification packages to be
offered to tenants have been clarified and defined in detail. The content of
the packages and the associated prices are set out in the table below:
PACKAGE CONTENT
Control panel. 2nr fobs.
Communications box.
Dummy external box.
2 PIR’s. 2 door contacts.
HOMELINK
PRICE PER
WEEK
PRICE WITH
MONITORING
CHARGE
CHARGE FOR 48
WEEK RENTAL
PERIOD
3.20
3.70
4.01
As the above package but
with additional panic wrist
alarm.
Communications box.
Dummy external box.
3.35
3.85
4.17
2.30
2.80
3.03

Julie Dodd of benefits has been consulted over the above prices and
considers that the charges will satisfy the conditions for eligibility for
housing benefit.

It is proposed that after 2 years the financial standing of Homelink will be
assessed and if they are in a stable trading position we may remove the
requirement for a performance bond which will in turn reduce the charges
to tenants.
RECOMMENDATIONS
That we move forward based on the above packages and prices. This
process will involve:
1. Confirming with Law and Administration that the final content of the
contract is acceptable.
2. Sending out the consultation letter to the tenants on the Valley and
Littleton Road estates.
3. Waiting 21 days to receive comments from tenants, and incorporating any
amendments to the proposed service contract as necessary.
4. Signing the contract with Homelink.
5. Homelink will start fitting alarms 2 weeks after item 4 and complete the
process of fitting to the 990 properties in question within a 6 week period.
Signed
..........................................………Dated...................................
Director
Signed
.............................................……. Dated ......................................
Lead Member
Signed
.............................................……..Dated…………………………..
Deputy Lead Member
Contact Officer: Nigel Sedman
Tel: No: 925 1290
* This decision is not subject to consideration by another Director.