Purpose

Background:
The Commercial Housing Contracts (CHC) team was established in 2023
to oversee improvements in contract management within Housing. Over
time, the CHC team took on additional responsibilities, including
the procurement of contracts for Housing and Property
Services.
Due to insufficient resources to manage the Procurement Forward
Plan, an interim resource was brought in to oversee its delivery.
This included several key projects, such as the re-procurement of
the Elms Homeless Hostel Management contract, Asbestos Consultancy
contracts, and Commercial Heating and Ventilation contracts. The
role was initially for six months but was extended to December 2025
while the review of the CHC team was completed under the HTIP
project.
Reason:
The HTIP review of the CHC team has now concluded, with the new
structure set to include a permanent Procurement Lead Officer and
additional contract manager. Before Christmas 25, there will be a
staff consultation period within CHC. Permanent recruitment for an
additional contracts manager and a procurement manager is likely to
begin in January 2026, with the aim of concluding by March
2026.
As the permanent Procurement Lead Officer is unlikely to be in post
before April 2026, the Head of Commercial Housing Contracts
proposes extending the interim role for a minimum of three months,
with the option for a further three-month extension if there are
delays or the permanent recruitment is unsuccessful.
The current interim has demonstrated strong performance and is
leading several key procurement processes. Extending the role will
ensure continuity of service, as the incumbent is managing critical
procurement exercises. Introducing a change at this stage could
disrupt project plans.

Decision

Decision:
Extension of the interim Procurement Manager role within CHC for an
additional three months, with the option to extend for a further
three months, subject to the outcome of the recruitment process
commencing in January 2026.

Alternative options considered

The role is critical to delivering the Housing
and Property Procurement Forward Plan, leading key exercises such
as the Commercial Heating and Ventilation Contract and The Elms
Hostel procurement. These projects would be difficult to deliver
without the current interim resource.