EMC 039 - The provision of a Community Centre that provides community resources in Ellesmere alongside the provision of day time opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, day care for older people and library and information and advice services.

The Council is looking to award a contract for the provision of a community centre that provides community resources in Ellesmere alongside the provision of day time opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, day care for older people and library and information and advice services.

The Council is planning to provide a contract, with the new provider that aligns with the existing lease it holds, for a period of 5 years initially with the option to extend in 2 yearly extensions up to 9 years. This provides the potential for some degree of medium term security to the provider and the opportunity for “investment” in the facilities.

The services will be delivered from the ground floor of the building which is rented from Ellesmere Community Care Centre Trust under a ten year lease. The new provider will be subject to a sublease in a form approved by the Landlord. The Council has worked with local stakeholders including staff, the trustees of the Community Care Centre Trust, day service users and carers, the Friends of Ellesmere Library and others to develop a plan for the shared use of the ground floor.The Council expects to fund the building improvements through a combination of its own resources and funding secured through the Department of Communities and Local Government Transformation Challenge Award programme. There is also an opportunity, now or in the future, for the successful provider to invest in the development of the facilities into a successful Community Centre.

The Day centre currently has 25 older people and 10 people with learning disabilities on its register. The average weekly attendance equates to 81 day places per week.

Library usage last year was 23,853 visits, 998 active borrowers, 28,169 loans and 1596 hours of computer use.

Usage of the Customer Service Point amounted to 962 applications annually

The ‘Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations ‘2006 (‘TUPE’) may apply to this contract.

Compliance with the provisions The Best Value Authorities Staff Transfers (Pensions) Direction 2007, in relation to the Local Government Pension Scheme (as administered by Shropshire County Pension Fund) will also be required.

The Council has due regard to economic, social and environmental well-being in Shropshire. Accordingly the council is looking, in relation to the delivery of this contract, for proposals from contractors that could help provide social value benefits within Shropshire where practicable.