Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board on Thursday night voted to extend the existing framework by six months to allow a full procurement exercise to take place without a gap in provision. But this was despite strong objections from the borough’s Conservative group leader Cllr John Slater who branded the move ‘illegal’.
Cllr Slater told Cllr Floyd: “This is extremely concerning. You have jumped the gun. This process is illegal under the council’s constitution. Cllr Floyd’s report said: “Hopwood Court provides support to those with complex learning disabilities and advanced dementia. In 2019 a contract was awarded for lower-level day care provision for older people and those with mild learning disabilities. Age UK Blackburn with Darwen and Derwent Hall were awarded the contracts. Age UK covered the Blackburn area with Derwent Hall covering Darwen.