Decision

RESOLVED that the Leader:

A    Approved the upgrade of the council's telecare systems from analogue to digitally compatible technology.

B    Approved the award of a contract to Appello for the provision, installation, monitoring and management of telecare equipment, procured through the Procurement for Housing Technologies for Independent Living: Telecare and Telehealth framework.

C    Authorised officers to implement the digital telecare upgrade and migration programme and complete the migration ahead of the national deadline of 31 January 2027.

D    Approved an increase of £131,492 in the capital budget for the project, increasing the total approved budget from £424,500 to £555,992, noting that the Leader will separately approve the required virement within the Non-Housing Capital Programme to fund the increase.

Reasons for the decision

The national telecommunications network is moving from analogue to digital telephone services, with the migration programme due to be completed by 31 January 2027.

Existing analogue-dependent telecare equipment may not operate reliably following migration to digital telephone services and must therefore be upgraded or replaced where necessary.

Many users of the council's telecare service are vulnerable residents who rely on the service for their safety, independence and wellbeing. Maintaining a safe and reliable service throughout the migration is therefore essential.

Moving to a new digital telephone service will enable the council to deliver the required digital upgrade within the national timescale and provide an appropriate ongoing monitoring service.

The additional capital budget is required to meet the updated implementation costs and enable the programme to be delivered in full.

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing – This option was rejected. Failure to upgrade the service would create an unacceptable risk that existing telecare equipment may not operate reliably as residents are migrated from analogue to digital telephone services.

Continue Using Analogue Services – This option was rejected because the national telecommunications network is moving away from analogue services and the council cannot rely on their continued availability.

Move All Users to Mobile-Based Telecare – This option was considered but rejected because mobile coverage varies between locations and a mobile-only solution may not be suitable or sufficiently reliable for every resident or property.