Decision details

1.    Appendix 1 is not for publication on the basis that it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings as set out in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.    Ratifies the decision to  directly  award five contracts, as set out in Table 1 below, in order to continue provision of accommodation services for rough sleepers by the incumbent providers for up to a period of 12 months, from 1^st November 2020;

Table 1

The five accommodation contracts are critical to the council’s strategic priority to end rough sleeping. The original procurement timetable for new services was  delayed due to the impact of COVID.   Five directly awarded 12 months contracts are necessary to ensure service continuity while services are procured to commence by 1 November 2021.

Option 1 –    Do not award the contracts bringing the current arrangements to an immediate end

This option is not viable as there will be a gap before new services are in place for vulnerable residents.This option would likely increase the demand for more intensive health, housing and social care services and increase rough sleeping. For these reasons this option is not recommended.

Option 2 -     Directly award five short-term interim contracts to the incumbent providers

This option will enable service continuity to vulnerable residents while new contract arrangements are put in place. For this reason, this option is recommended.