Issue - meetings

To update Cabinet on the work undertaken to review the Council's Speech Call Units and Lifeline Service.

Cabinet was informed that in November 2023 a report was submitted which regarded the Speech Call Units in the Council’s Independent Living schemes and the Lifeline Service, which provides similar equipment to private tenants and home owners. Cabinet approved a project to investigate alternatives to the current arrangements for both services. A review had begun, which has involved a number of meetings and site visits with the current supplier. The review has also considered the requirements for the digital switchover of telephone lines from analogue to digital, and the importance of ensuring that the equipment met future requirements.

RESOLVED to:

1.          Continue with the current arrangements for Speech Call Units within Council owned properties

2.          The installation of Lifeline Digital at nine schemes, with the capital contribution of £120,000 being added to the Capital Programme in 2024/25 and funded from prudential borrowing, be approved.

3.          Consider extending the Lifeline Service to include a visiting service.

Reason

This will improve the service offer to customers and increase the income to the General Fund.