Issue - meetings

Report DRR20-001

Members considered a request for authorisation to extend the contracts for Evolve and Hestia via an exemption to competitive tendering for a period of up to six months to allow their services to be amalgamated and retendered as one contract.

Evolve currently provided accommodation based support whilst Hestia provided floating support and specialist accommodation based support for ex-offenders.

The report sought an exemption from competitive tendering requirements as set out in the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.  Further legal implications were set out in the accompanying Part 2 confidential report (agenda Item 16a).

In response to a question concerning the length of time support was provided under the Hestia contract, the Assistant Director of Housing explained that this varied from individual to individual depending on levels of need.  Support packages were subject to 6 monthly reviews although it was rare that support lasted for more than two years.  Under the contract ex-offenders were provided with support to help them engage in training and employment initiatives.  Members noted that it was a holistic support package which took into account all the needs of the individual.

In response to a question, the Assistant Director also confirmed that a Service Level Agreement had been developed to ensure that nightly paid accommodation met minimum standards for all service users and spot checks were undertaken to ensure that needs were being met and, in particular, that the needs of vulnerable single people were being met.

Noting the importance of getting the contract right, the Chairman proposed that Option 3 – Award a new contract, via an exemption to competitive tendering, for up to 6 months in order to go out to tender for an amalgamated service – should be recommended to the Executive.  The Committee unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED that the Executive be recommended to agree Option 3 – to award a new contract, via an exemption to competitive tendering, for up to 6 months in order to go out to tender for an amalgamated service.