Purpose

Lincolnshire County Council administers Adult Skills Fund provision
and has established the Adult Skills and Employment Framework as
the primary route for commissioning Adult Learning services.
Following completion of the Framework call-off process for the
2026/27 academic year, the commissioning service identified a gap
in provision within the Sleaford area. The current Framework
provider cohort does not include a provider offering equivalent
locally based provision with an established delivery infrastructure,
embedded community partnerships and progression pathways
between Tailored Learning and qualification-based learning
programmes.
Historically, AG&I UK Ltd has delivered community-based Adult
Learning provision from a permanent Sleaford location, supporting
adults who are unemployed, have low skill levels or qualifications,
or face other barriers to learning. The provision supports
progression into accredited learning and employment
opportunities and complements the wider Adult Skills Fund offer
available across Lincolnshire. AG&I UK Ltd accounted for a
significant proportion of Adult Learning enrolments within this
locality and has established referral arrangements with local
partners.
The Framework was established as an open framework; however,
reopening the Framework requires a formal application and
evaluation process and cannot be completed within the timescales
required to support delivery from 1 August 2026.
It is therefore considered necessary to seek a time-limited
exception to maintain continuity of locally accessible provision
within the Sleaford area whilst longer-term arrangements are
considered through a future Framework reopening. Approval is not
sought on the basis of historic delivery or supplier preference, but
because the commissioning service has identified an absence of
equivalent provision within the current Framework supplier cohort
and a requirement to maintain delivery within the required
timescales.

Decision

To approve a time-limited exception to the Council's Contract and
Procurement Procedure Rules to enable the direct award of a
contract to AG&I UK Ltd for the delivery of Adult Learning provision
during the period 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027.
The total contract value is £121,500.
This approval is limited to the 2026/27 academic year and does not
constitute admission to the Adult Skills and Employment
Framework.

Alternative options considered

1. Commission through the existing Adult Skills and Employment
Framework.
Rejected because no equivalent provider within the current
Framework cohort has been identified that can provide the same
combination of permanent local delivery infrastructure, communitybased learning provision and progression pathways within the
Sleaford area.
2. Reopen the Adult Skills and Employment Framework.
Rejected because a compliant reopening process could not be
completed and mobilised in time for delivery commencing on 1
August 2026.
3. Undertake a new competitive procurement exercise.
Rejected because there is insufficient time to complete a compliant
procurement process and mobilise delivery before the start of the
2026/27 academic year.
4. Do nothing.
Rejected because this would reduce locally accessible Adult
Learning opportunities within the Sleaford area, adversely impact
priority learner groups and risk reducing achievement of Adult Skills
Fund delivery objectives.