Decision details

The Committee received a report proposing the introduction of a new stand-alone business model and charging structure for Community Alarm and Telecare services, should Surrey County Council choose to withdraw its current annual payment for the supply and installation of Telecare equipment.

Surrey County Council had notified Epsom and Ewell Borough Council that it would undertake a review of its Telecare service, and would only currently issue a service level agreement for its provision for a period of 6 months. This review could potentially lead the County Council to withdraw its funding for the service in the future. The report proposed that Epsom and Ewell Borough Council introduce a new charging structure for Community Alarm and Telecare services, to enable their continued provision should Surrey County Council decide to withdraw its funding.

The Committee considered the report and noted the current market competition. Officers advised the Committee that the proposed service detailed within the report was competitively priced against the other market suppliers, and had additional benefits which they did not provide.

Following consideration, the Committee:

(1)          Agreed to the implementation of a new charging structure for Community Alarm/Telecare services which will apply to all new clients, if the offer of free Telecare equipment from Surrey County Council is withdrawn, as set out within the body of the report.

(2)          Agreed that any existing Community Alarm/Telecare clients be switched to the new charging structure once their existing Telecare equipment ceases to operate or needs to be upgraded, if the offer of free Telecare equipment from Surrey County Council is withdrawn.