Senior councillors are set to approve a £72,000 grant to keep an advice service running while it launches a new procurement process.

Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Cabinet is set to start looking for a wraparound information and advice service for local residents while ensuring value for money for taxpayers.

For the past 13 years, TDC has provided grant funding towards the service through Citizens Advice Tendring (CAT) with an annual payment of £144,000.

Following the adoption of a new external funding framework last year, the council will now undertake a fresh search to ensure future services provide value for money while setting a clear specification of the required services to reflect changing needs in the district since the service was originally funded.

To ensure a service continues during the process, the council’s Cabinet is set to decide at a meeting on Friday, 31 January, to extend the grant to CAT for six months to keep its service running.

The new contract is expected to start in October with whichever service is chosen as a result of the procurement process.

Gina Placey, Cabinet Member for Partnerships who is making the proposal to Cabinet, said: “It is our responsibility to ensure that taxpayers’ money is used efficiently.

“It is entirely appropriate for the council to review services to guarantee residents receive value for money and that we support the correct services.

“We recognise the valuable contributions CAT has made over the years, and I am pleased that the proposed decision will allow it to continue its information and advice services during the procurement process.

“The tender process will be open to organisations providing advice, including CAT.

“This approach is fair to all voluntary organisations providing diverse services within our community.”

The procurement process will ensure the new service will provide a joined-up approach across various sectors while addressing local challenges, including addressing the needs of deprived areas, supporting residents in improving their income through access to benefits and debt management, helping with their housing situation, providing cost-effective information and ensuring accessibility through face-to-face, online, and outreach services.

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