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 for adults with complex learning difficulties and
disabilities. The current Framework provider cohort does not
include a provider offering an equivalent specialist delivery model
for this learner group. Lincoln Pelican Trust has previously delivered
targeted non-accredited learning programmes that supports
independent living, progression into further learning, volunteering
and employment opportunities for adults with learning difficulties
and disabilities. 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 specialist provision for this priority learner
group 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 Lincoln Pelican Trust for the delivery of Adult Learning
provision during the period 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027. The
total contract value is £72,000. 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 as capable of
delivering the required specialist provision for adults with complex
learning difficulties and disabilities.
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 create a gap in
provision for a priority learner cohort and reduce the Council's
ability to achieve Adult Skills Fund objectives