Purpose

The current commissioning arrangements for
Family Hubs (previously children’s centres) end on 31 March
2026, cabinet approval would enable the recommissioning process to
be completed during 2025 so that the successful bidder is in place
for 1 April 2026.

Content

Resolved:-
 
(1) 
that delegated authority is given to the Executive Director of
Children and Education Services in consultation with the Executive
Director of Finance and Transformation and the Monitoring Officer,
Service Director of Governance be to award of new contracts for the
provision of Family Hub Services for a period of 3 years from 1
April 2026 (with the option to extend for 2 years);

 
(2) 
that delegated authority is given to the Monitoring Officer,
Service Director of Governance to enter into or execute, under seal
if necessary, any related documentation in connection with the land
and property as part of the Family Hub service on terms and
conditions agreed by the Executive Director of Children’s
Services;
 
(3) 
that approval is given for variations to the Contract up to a value
of £400k per annum, should they be necessitated, for the
delivery of additional activity funded via the Best Start Family
Hubs grant and that authority to approve such Variations be
delegated to the appropriate Chief Officer in consultation with the
relevant Cabinet member;
 
(4) 
that approval is given for variations to the Contract up to a value
of £100k per annum, should they be necessitated, for the
delivery of additional preventative activity funded via the social
care prevention grant and that authority to approve such Variations
be delegated to the appropriate Chief Officer in consultation with
the relevant Cabinet member; and
 
(5) 
that approval is given for an exemption be authorised under rule
8.10 of the Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules 2024 to allow
a contract to be awarded to the successful tenderer if the required
number of tenders are not received as we will be advertising widely
to the market and it is reasonable to assume all interested parties
will have the opportunity to bid.