Agenda item

The Central Area Council Manager introduced the item, reminding Members that the current Youth Programme would come to an end on 31^st March, 2016, as would the Service Level Agreement (SLA) to provide support to those in Private Sector Rented Housing.

Members were reminded that at the previous meeting of the Area Council, the business case for a ‘service to build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years’ was supported.  In addition Members agreed that the service ought to be delivered by one main provider. Consequently a specification of requirements and a procurement strategy synopsis had been development and had been circulated.

The Area Council Manager drew Members’ attention to the documents circulated and points within, including the background, context, and the aims and objectives of the commission.  It was noted that the suggested value was for £130,000 per year, initially for one year, but with the ability to extend the contract.

Members noted that the specification included the minimum requirement to provide three sessions per ward each week, with these ideally held in community venues.  It was discussed whether this may be too prescriptive, and it was agreed that the specification be made more flexible for any prospective provider to highlight what provision they considered appropriate.

It was noted that this exercise would hopefully result in a single provider, which would then be augmented by other smaller providers.  It was suggested that a proposal as to how this might be taken forward would be considered at the next meeting of the Area Council and it was seen essential that this provision be complementary to the main contract.

The meeting went on to consider the business case relating to the SLA with the Safer Communities Service to provide a Private Rented Housing Management and Enforcement Service.  To date the current service had engaged 949 households with over half having three or more contacts with the service.

Members noted that the approach taken with regards to private rented sector housing had been reviewed within the Safer Communities Service, and as a result the service was looking to provide an additional resource.  It was likely that this would be an officer covering two Area Councils.   Members were supportive of the proposal to extend the SLA for an additional year, noting the success of the current service. The need to work with any centrally provided service was acknowledged.  It was suggested that a full review of the service takes place towards the end of 2017/18.

RESOLVED:-

(i)           That the progress made in taking forward the procurement for a service to build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years be noted;

(ii)          That, subject to the minor amendments discussed, the specification of requirements, associated costs and procurement strategy synopsis for the service to build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14 years be approved at a cost of £130,000 per annum for one year with the ability to extend the contract for two further 12 month periods subject to the availability of Area Council finance, the satisfactory performance of the provider and the provision continuing to be a priority within the Area;

(iii)         That Councillor Williams take part in the Tender Evaluation Panel for the service to build emotional resilience and wellbeing in children and young people aged 8-14;

(iv)        That the business case for the continuation to provide a Private Rented Housing Management and Enforcement Service be supported and a Service Level Agreement with the Safer Communities Service for a further 12 months, 1^st April 2017-31^st March, 2018 be approved at a cost of £76,175.