Decision

RESOLVED

KEY DECISION

That the Executive:

a)         Delegated authority to the Executive Director Children’s Services in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance and Executive Member for Children, Education and Families to approve the re?commissioning of the Holiday Activities and Food programme as well as the procurement approach for any services identified as necessary through the development of the recommissioning exercise and undertake any further actions or decisions required to effectively manage the resulting processes.

b)         Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Executive Director of Finance and Executive Member for Children, Education and Families to award contracts following competitive procurement or associated compliant commissioning activity for the provision of Holiday Activities and Food programme. This includes the award of a 2-year contract with the potential for two 1-year extensions

Reasons for Recommendations: These are set out in greater detail within sections 4 and 5 of the report. In summary, the Council will receive grant funding from the Department for Education to ensure that a wide range of healthy activities and food are available for vulnerable learners in North Northamptonshire.  The HAF services have previously been run via a commissioned service which has met all the requirements of the Department for Education and received positive feedback from parents and carers.  Re-tendering to the open market will continue to support the development of local businesses and charities in North Northamptonshire. It is important that the Council has the ability to extend any contract should a continuation of funding from Government be confirmed beyond 2028/29.

Alternative Options Considered:

Option 1 - Direct provision of HAF by North Northants Council – This option would mean that the Council retains the full 7.5% administration costs, (circa £82,664) and employs its own personnel to develop and run a full HAF programme.  This option has been discounted as it would require the local authority to begin a recruitment campaign for suitably qualified candidates for two year contracts who could swiftly develop links with very many community and sporting organisations across North Northamptonshire and commission, train, quality assure and monitor all HAF providers.  The Council Plan also has the key commitment ‘Supporting community life, leisure and shared spaces’ which encourages linking with and supporting the voluntary and SME sector.  Further, the Council has a number of ambitious plans to prioritise to improve outcomes for families, children and young people, taking HAF in house would consume resource which could more effectively be deployed on these other initiatives.

Option 2 – Lapse contract and do not re-commission -This option has been dismissed as it would result in no HAF programme running in North Northamptonshire and the return of grant funding to the Dept for Education.  Children dependent upon FSM or otherwise vulnerable would have no healthy break provision during school holidays.  There would be very significant reputational damage to the Council.