Decision details

1.     That Appendices 1 and 2 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

2.     To approve four contracts award for the provision of training services to the preferred suppliers for the contract award value included in Exempt Appendix 1.

3.     To approve the contract the contract duration of three years. The contract will commence February 2026 for one year with the option to extend a further two years.

The aim is to subcontract elements of HFALS Adult Skills Fund (ASF) GLA funding to providers listed in Appendix 1   in order to enhance the skills offer available to learners and to promote sustainable employment outcomes for local residents. The use of specialist subcontractors, offering high level qualifications in the skills above, will provide an excellent model of local skills partnerships that HFALS currently is unable to offer through direct delivery.

Option 1: Do Nothing – Not recommended 

1.     The aim is for HFALS to form effective collaborative working relationships with providers locally to ensure a range of excellent learning opportunities for local residents

Option 2: Deliver the services in-house (make/buy decision) – Not recommended  

2.     Due to the specialist nature of services, the Council does not have the appropriate resource or capacity available in-house to deliver these services. 

Option 3: Procure using a compliant framework, Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), or Dynamic Market – Not recommended. 

3.     This option was explored and there were no suitable framework agreements or DPS available.

Option 4 - Undertake a fully regulated competitive and compliant procurement process, advertised to the market  - Recommended 

4.     This is the recommended option. A full regulated procurement process, advertised to the market would attract the widest competition and achieve the best value for money for the Council.