Council could take on £1m home alarm service

Peterborough City Council will decide if they will take on funding the service for residents in Peterborough

A £1m personal alarm scheme for elderly and vulnerable people could be taken on by Peterborough City Council.

The service, which places alarms connected to an operator in residents’ homes, has previously been provided by Cambridgeshire County Council.

However, the county council is cutting the project in March due to "significant" financial and operational challenges, the county council said.

A final decision from Peterborough is expected by 9 January. 

The city council would take on the scheme for Peterborough residents.

It is poised to hand a contract to Swedish electronics company Doro, which would initially last three years, with an option to extend it for a further two years.

It is estimated to cost £200,000 per year.

The council said the service was important as it enabled residents to live "fulfilling lives in their own homes". 

When an alarm is set off, the operator can then contact further services on behalf of the person in distress.

City council data from November 2022 to September 2023 suggests that an average of 262 people were signed up to the old service each month during this period.

The number of calls made with it per month ranged from 258 to 621. 

The council said “this data shows a service which is widely used and continues to see growth in uptake”. 

A decision will be made by the cabinet member for adults and health for final approval.