Decision

The Director of Public Health has approved the direct award of a contract to Wirral CVS (registered charity number 1196584) for the provision of a Single Front Door for Volunteering Service for Wirral residents and communities, commencing on 1 October 2026 for eighteen months with a total contract value of £158,333.

Reasons for the decision

The Single Front Door for Volunteering Service provides a central point of access for residents wishing to volunteer and for organisations seeking volunteers. The service plays an important role in supporting community participation and strengthening Wirral's voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector. The service contributes to a range of positive outcomes including:
•Increased volunteering opportunities and participation across Wirral.
•Improved health and wellbeing for volunteers through increased social connection and engagement.
•Reduced social isolation and loneliness.
•Enhanced community resilience and cohesion.
•Increased sense of purpose, belonging and civic participation amongst residents.
•Social and economic value through the mobilisation of volunteer capacity within local communities.

In previous years, the service has been funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which was allocated by the UK Government and distributed locally through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Following the cessation of this funding source, the Director of Public Health has agreed to fund the service until 31 March 2028 in recognition of the significant contribution it makes to improving health and wellbeing, supporting community development and delivering wider social value for Wirral residents.

The proposed contract value is below the applicable threshold for Light Touch Regime services, and the direct award is undertaken in accordance with Rule 12.4.1 of the Council's Contract Procedure Rules (Exceptions).
The current service has evidenced strong performance and continued demand, with 685 registered volunteers and 152 provider organisations actively engaged through the volunteering infrastructure. The recruitment of a dedicated Volunteer Programme Manager and Volunteer Coordinator has strengthened relationships with volunteers and providers, increased support available to organisations, and enabled the development of new initiatives including accredited training and the Wirral Volunteer Passport. These developments support increased volunteering participation, strengthen the capacity of the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise sector, and contribute to improved social connection, community resilience and wellbeing outcomes for Wirral residents.

The Council has considered the availability of alternative delivery options and is satisfied that a direct award represents the most proportionate and cost-effective approach. The service relies upon an established infrastructure, extensive relationships with local voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise organisations, and a recognised central referral mechanism for volunteers and community groups across Wirral. These arrangements have been developed over a number of years and are integral to the effective delivery of the service. Introducing a new provider at this stage would require significant mobilisation activity, relationship-building and transitional arrangements, creating a risk of service disruption and a reduction in volunteering capacity and community engagement outcomes. Given the value and duration of the proposed arrangement, the costs and resource implications associated with undertaking a competitive procurement exercise would be disproportionate to any anticipated benefit.

The Council is therefore satisfied that the direct award represents value for money, supports continuity of service, mitigates operational risk and is in the best interests of residents and stakeholders.

Alternative options considered

Option 1: Do Not Award a Contract
This option was considered but rejected. Failure to fund the service would result in the loss of a coordinated volunteering support function within Wirral, reducing support available to existing and prospective volunteers and potentially impacting the capacity of local organisations that rely on volunteers. This would adversely affect the health, wellbeing and community benefits currently generated through volunteering activity.

Option 2: Undertake a Competitive Procurement Process
This option was considered but not pursued. Given the contract value, the specialist nature of the service, and the established infrastructure and networks already in place, a direct award represents the most efficient and proportionate approach and provides continuity of service for residents and stakeholders.