Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Colin Smith.

There were no declarations.

Report CS14141

The current contract with One Support expires on 30^th August 2015. In considering tenancy sustainment services for young people at its meeting on 11^th February 2015, the Executive agreed that:

(1) further consideration be given to tenancy sustainment services for

young people; and

(2) authority be delegated to the Chief Officer in consultation with the

Portfolio Holder to award a short extension to the existing contract for

up to six months.

The report considered by the Executive on 11^th February was previously scrutinised by the Care Services PDS Committee on 21st January 2015 and the Executive and Resources PDS Committee on 4^th February 2015 with both committees supporting the report’s recommendations. The report was re-presented to the Executive as an appendix to Report CS14141.

Further clarification had been provided by officers on the current and proposed service and authorisation was now sought for a full procurement exercise to let a new three year contract in accordance with the original report. 

To allow sufficient time for a full procurement exercise, authorisation was sought to enter into a contract with One Support for a further year.

In discussion, clarification was provided on the impact of not supporting the recommendations. Other services would be needed if the service was withdrawn and there could be considerable extra cost with a continued financial commitment to service users. The young people concerned would lose access to accommodation and there would be a statutory duty to accommodate the young people in care.

A one year contract to One Support from 31^st August 2015 would enable officers to establish whether bidders would be prepared to provide different accommodation. Officers would also look to assess the extent of increased floating support.

Should there not be a tenancy sustainment service the Portfolio Holder for Care Services suggested that the Council would be unable to meet its responsibilities to young people under the House of Lords Southwark Judgement.

Having further considered the implications of not taking forward tenancy sustainment services for young people, it was agreed to support the recommendations outlined in Report CS14141.

RESOLVED that:

(1) officers undertake a tendering exercise to procure a tenancy sustainment service for young people, including young people with higher support needs, with the tender requiring the provider to make arrangements for the provision of accommodation appropriate for the contract;

(2)  the contract period be for three years with the option to extend for a further two periods of one year each; and

(3)  a one year contract be awarded from 31^st August 2015 to One Support, the current provider, to continue delivering the tenancy sustainment service whilst the tendering exercise takes place.