Tendering for York care service for elderly to restart

THE search for a company to run a care service for elderly people in York will have to be relaunched after only one provider came forward.

City of York Council has decided to privatise its reablement services, aimed at helping older residents live independent lives, to save about £1.2 million a year.

But the move was criticised by unions, and the Labour group which now controls the authority said the tendering process would have to go back to the start because of the lack of interest.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, cabinet member for health, housing and adult social services, said she believed the “specification” for tenders meant providers were discouraged.

She said: “The process has to deliver a service which offers the best outcomes for our customers, staff and the authority as a whole.”