Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 23, 2026

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   I Councillor Youd, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services and chairman of the Procurement Board, accept the recommendation of the Procurement Board and in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution do hereby:   ·     approve the extension of Contract for Interim Programme Director/ Business Change Lead, as detailed in the table below:   Detail required Answers Contract Reference  (to be supplied by procurement) Title/Description of Contracted Service/Supply/Project Extension of Interim Arrangements for Business Change Lead / Programme Director Name of Contractor Tile Hill Type of organisation (to be supplied by Procurement) Public Limited Company Status of Organisation (to be supplied by Procurement) SME Value of Contract Extension (£) Up to £186,300           Total value of Awarded (including extension period) £ 317,520 (estimated to Mar 27) Existing Contract Term 12/07/2025 to 31/03/2026 Extension Period 01/04/2026 to 31/03/2027 Contact Officer (Name & number) Elaina Quesada and Kate Story Lead Service Group Other (please identify below) How was the contract procured? Call-off by Direct Award Framework Details To be determined following approval Funding Source External Funding Source (please identify below) Ethical Contractor (EC): Mayor’s Employment Charter No EC: Committed to sign the Mayor’s Employment Charter No EC: Committed to the principles outlined in the Mayor’s Employment Charter Yes EC: Accredited Living Wage Employer No EC: Committed to becoming Accredited Living wage Employer No     The reasons are: Extending the current interim contract arrangements will provide valuable continuity at a critical time, ensuring that ongoing work maintains its momentum without disruption. The individual already brings significant expertise and deep legislative knowledge that are essential for navigating complex requirements and making informed decisions. Their strong understanding of governance and organisational processes allows them to operate effectively within existing structures, while the relationships they have already established across teams and stakeholders enable productive collaboration and efficient delivery. Retaining this combination of insight, stability and trusted connections will support smoother operations and better outcomes for the organisation.   Options considered and rejected were: Engage the individual on a fixed term contract directly with the Council to undertake the work or go out to recruitment for the role afresh. These have been rejected due to the time pressures of Project Unify, the likelihood of suitable candidates requiring a period of notice prior to starting in a fixed term role and the length of time that it would take a new colleague to establish themselves in the role would also negatively impact upon the Project.   Assessment of risk: The absence of this lead role in delivering Project Unify may expose the Council to significant risks, including delivering improvements that are linked to statutory provisions identified by us an organisation.   There is a statutory duty that the organisation has in place strategic leadership in adults services with any absence of such leaving the organisation to legal failing in our duties within The Care Act 2014.   The work is of critical importance to not only the Council but also to the people that we support and the residents we serve.   The source of funding is: The extension will be funded from Council reserves. Once approved by Council.   Legal advice obtained: The extension of this temporary role presents no legal barriers and is justified given the specialist expertise required to manage the complex TUPE considerations arising from Project Unify, alongside interpreting the existing Section 75 arrangements and ensuring the Council continues to meet its statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005. Retaining the current postholder provides essential continuity and mitigates legal risk by preserving accumulated knowledge of governance processes, service responsibilities, and statutory obligations during a period of significant transformation.   Financial advice obtained: The current year spend has been included with the forecast Council financial position. The extension up to end of March 2027 will be managed through the additional one-off reserve ask reflected within the 2026/27 budget for approval at Council on 25th February 2026.   Procurement advice obtained: The original contract for the Interim Business Change Lead with Tile Hill was awarded through a direct award from the LGRP framework which is a public framework established by YPO and the London Borough of Waltham Forest.   That framework expired in November 2025, and the next iteration of the framework is due to go-live in March 2026. There are a number of other frameworks available to use, and the extension of this contract could be facilitated by either an extension to the original contract or making an award via another public procurement framework.   Following approval at Procurement Board the procurement team will assist the commissioner in establishing the best route to extend the contract.   HR advice obtained: The Programme Director was secured via contractual arrangements, this is an extension to this contract.  Work during the tenure of this extension will be to support the Unify project which is additional to the work within the Adult Social Care and hence requires additional specialist support due to the complex nature of the project.    Climate change implications obtained: N/A   Contact details Contact Officer: Kate Story          Telephone number: 07591 352 464   Please delete from the bullets below any which are not relevant: ·     The Lead Member has been consulted and is supportive of the proposed contract.   Signed:    Cllr J Youd         Dated:   23 February 2026.               Lead Member   FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY:   This decision was published on 24 February 2026. This decision will come in force at 4pm on 3 March 2026 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.