Purpose

To consider approving the award of contract to operate two residential children’s homes aligned to the DfE complex needs capital project.

Decision

1. That the public and press be excluded from the meeting by virtue of Paragraph 3 (Information Relating to the Financial or Business Affairs of the Authority) of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, in order that the meeting consider the exempt Annex to the report.
2. That the contract be awarded to the successful bidder, who scored highest in accordance with the Most Advantageous Tender evaluation (as set out in the exempt Annex), to provide children’s residential care services at the two homes, for a term of three years with the option to extend for further periods not exceeding two years.
3. That authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services and Assistant Director for Property, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children and People, to progress arrangements for the leases of the two properties.
4. That authority be delegated to the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Cabinet member for Children and Young People, to agree annual negotiated inflationary uplifts to the contract value, as per Section 9.3 of the Services Specification, where this is appropriate. Any uplifts granted will be at the discretion of the Council and subject to relevant budgetary constraints.