Decision

To extend the provision of experienced interim resources via an existing agency to deliver specialist services; Specialist compliance officer, Beau Longley.

Reasons for the decision

Immediate Business Need
There is an urgent requirement for continuity in response to the fire action remediation by the RSH. This role is critical to supporting delivery of the fire remedial actions and ensuring the Council meets its statutory and regulatory responsibilities.
The resource will provide essential qualified oversight, challenge, and delivery support across the ‘fire’ compliance workflow, ensuring alignment with regulatory expectations and agreed improvement actions.

Risk of Delay
Undertaking a full procurement process would cause delays that present significant risks at a critical stage of recovery. These risks include:
• Failure to meet commitments within the voluntary undertaking.
• Continued non-compliance with the RSH.
• Increased scrutiny from the RSH and members.
• Greater risk of failure due to the requirement to reprocure new staff.
• Reputational damage to the Council

Given the seriousness of the potential collapse of the fire remediation workflow, immediate action is required to demonstrate improvement and maintain confidence from stakeholders.

Specialist Knowledge and Experience
The proposed individuals have:
• Extensive experience in fire compliance within a local authority.
• Strong understanding of fire remediation activities and associated legislation.
• Experience supporting organisations following RSH judgements.
• Knowledge of various fire and building safety legislative requirements.

This level of specialist expertise is not readily available within the required timeframe through standard procurement routes.

Continuity and Risk Reduction
Direct engagement will ensure:
• Immediate mobilisation to support compliance recovery
• Continuity in oversight of safety and regulatory requirements
• Continued implementation of fire risk assessment action remediation.
• Reduced risk of increased regulator involvement.
• A competitive process would create a delay, leaving gaps in critical compliance oversight and increasing risk to the Council.

Value for Money
Value for money has been considered:
• Proposed rates have been benchmarked against current market rates for comparable housing compliance expertise
• The existing agency was approached to extend the existing arrangements.
• The engagement is time-limited and focused on priority improvement outcomes
• Early intervention is expected to reduce the risk of longer-term financial and regulatory consequences

Summary
The officer decision is made due to urgency, the requirement for highly specialist fire remediation expertise, and the need to mitigate risks associated with the RSH judgement. Proceeding without delay is essential to support recovery, protect progress, and ensure delivery of the voluntary undertaking.

Alternative options considered

Not extending the current contracts, this was rejected due to the specialist nature of the work and the risks associated with halting this work, earlier section.