Purpose

The council is aiming to lease properties on
the Emergency Accommodation Framework for over 10 years, which
would allow these properties to sit in the General Fund. The
decision to authorise the Executive Director to take all necessary
steps to enter leases of at least 10 years plus one day was taken
at the Homes and Housing Delivery Policy Committee on
18/07/2025.
The council requires expert legal support to enter these long
leases. Browne Jacobson LLP have specialist experience in this
area, having previously advised other Local Authorities on a
similar approach. Given this and the time pressures associated with
the delivery of savings, the council is therefore direct awarding a
contract, via the Agora Framework, to Browne Jacobson LLP to
provide the necessary legal support in drafting, executing and
registering these leases.
The direct award also avoids any potential delays in delivering
savings and additional costs associated with a tender exercise,
thereby providing value for money.
The rates associated with this exercise have been reviewed by the
council’s Legal service and assessed as being
reasonable.

Content

Approval to award a contract to Browne
Jacobson LLP to provide legal support for drafting, executing and
registering long-term leases on properties under the Emergency
Accommodation Framework.

Alternative options considered

The alternative to deliver this work would be
for the council to utilise internal legal resources; this was
rejected due to limited resource and the expertise of the
supplier.