The Cabinet of Havering Council met on Wednesday 10 January 2024, where they approved a new contract for the Havering Reablement Service and a new street furniture advertising concession. The discussion on the Oracle Fusion contract renewal was deferred.

Havering Reablement Service Contract Award

The Cabinet authorised the award of a new contract for the Havering Reablement Service to Essex Cares Limited. This contract, commencing on 1 April 2024, will run for three years with an option to extend for a further two years, at a total cost of £11,096,793.14. The reablement service is crucial for supporting residents to remain independent in their own homes following hospital admissions or home-based crises. The service operates under the 'Home First' model, ensuring assessments are conducted in the patient's home to prevent unnecessary long-term care decisions. The procurement process involved a competitive tendering exercise, with Essex Cares Limited scoring highest in both quality and price evaluations. The contract is funded through the Better Care Fund, with additional contributions from Adult Social Care core budgets and the NHS North East London ICB Discharge Fund for the first year.

Award of Street Furniture Advertising Contract

A seven-year concession contract for street furniture advertising was awarded to JCDecaux UK Ltd, with an option to extend for a further three years. This new contract aims to modernise the borough's street furniture, replacing current paper-based units with digital displays and increasing income for the Council. The estimated total turnover for the concessionaire over the ten-year period is £94,800,000, with a guaranteed income for the Council of £4,015,000. The tender process involved a competitive tender, with JCDecaux UK Ltd scoring higher than Clear Channel UK Ltd on both price and quality. The new contract will adhere to Havering's Advertising and Sponsorship Policy, which includes restrictions on advertising for food and drink high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS) to support public health objectives and tackle obesity. The digital displays also offer potential for smart city technology, such as measuring footfall and air pollution, and providing Wi-Fi.

Oracle Fusion Contract Renewal

The discussion regarding the renewal of the Oracle Fusion contract was deferred. This contract is for the Council's Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which manages HR, payroll, procurement, and financial transactions. The existing contract was due to expire in March 2024, and a report had been presented outlining the recommendation to directly award a new five-year contract to Oracle. However, the decision was postponed.