Purpose

Extend the current contract for a period of 3
years from 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2029 on existing terms
(provisions exist to do so), including varying the contract for
2025/26 to include additional grant funded activity.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report, the
Corporate Director has decided to:
1)   
Approve the extension of the existing independent peer advocacy and
participation service (DN635443) with The Big Life
Company Limited, for a further 3 years,
commencing 1st April 2026 - 31st March 2029 in line with the
contractual provisions that allow for such an extension.
2)   
Approve the extension of the service on existing terms, at a
revised value of £124,225.72 per year. The total 3-year
extension value will be £372,677.16 excluding VAT.
3)   
Modify the contractual terms in-year in order
to administer up to £130,900 (excluding VAT) Drug and
Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG) funding
to allow for further enhancement of the quality and capacity of the
core service elements, to take effect from 1st April
2025 – 31st March 2026, for reasons outlined in
this report.
 

Alternative options considered

Contract Extension:
Option 1: The Council could choose not to
continue with the existing contract and to allow the contract to
end on 31st March 2026 and undertake a new procurement;
However, in light of the confidence the Council has that this
contract is performing in line with its obligations and that
provisions exist to extend the contract up to a further 3 years.
Therefore, undertaking a new procurement was not chosen.
 
Option 2: The Council could choose not to
continue with the existing contract and to allow the contract to
end on 31st March 2026 and for the service to
discontinue. It is proposed that by not continuing with service
delivery; by way of not extending the existing contract it is
likely to have a negative effect on public relations and community
impact, including a loss of a powerful engagement and therapeutic
service. It would also be likely to reduce the visibility of
service user voices in service design and evaluation and missed
opportunities to influence ongoing public perception and policy
through lived experience. Therefore, given the lack of tangible
benefits in doing so, this option was not chosen.
Contract Variation:
 
Option 3: Not to vary the contract. The
Council could choose not to vary the existing contract: it is
important to note that both the provider and the Council have
continued to operate in a manner consistent with the terms of the
original agreement due to the circumstances associated with the
limited timeframes associated with time-limited grant funding and
to prevent and minimise delays in implementation of interventions
and reduce the risk of claw back at the end of the funding period.
Therefore, this option was not chosen.