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:   ·     an exception to Contractual Standing Orders as permitted within the City Council Constitution for the reason(s) highlighted in the table below and the award of the Contract for Interim Director of Transformation and Improvement, as detailed in the table below:   Detail required Answers     Title/Description of Contracted Service/Supply/Project Interim Director Of Transformation and Improvement Procurement Reference Number (DN and CR, supplied by Procurement)   Name of Successful Contractor Tile Hill Supplier Registration Number (to be supplied by Procurement) 10484468 Proclass Classification No. (to be completed by procurement) 150000 Type of organisation (to be supplied by Procurement) Private Limited Company Status of Organisation (to be supplied by  Procurement) SME Contract Value (£) £          240,000 per annum Total Contract Value including extensions (£) £          360,000 Total project Contract Duration 12 months Contract Start Date 01/04/2026 Contract End Date 31/03/2027 Optional Extension Period 1  6 months Optional Extension Period 2 n/a Who will approve each Extension Period? Executive Director (extension < £150k) Contact Officer (Name & number) Elaina Quesada / Kate Story Lead Service Group Adult, Social Care & Health Partnerships Reason for CSO Exception: The goods / services / works are only obtainable from one provider and there is no other provider available to allow genuine competition Tick if it applies ? Reason for CSO Exception: The execution of works or the supply of goods or services is controlled by a statutory body Tick if it applies ? Reason for CSO Exception: Delivers Best Value to the Council Tick if it applies ? Reason for CSO Exception: Special education, health or social care contracts, if it is considered in the Council’s best interests and to meet the Council’s obligations under relevant legislation Tick if it applies ? Reason for CSO Exception: The execution of works or the supply of goods and services is required so urgently as not to permit compliance with the requirements of competition Tick if it applies ? Reason for CSO Exception: Security works where the publication of documents or details in the tendering process could prejudice the security of SCC and Salford residents Tick if it applies ?     The reasons are: The Director of Transformation will focus on the work that has been identified through the recent self-assessment work, underpinned by the recent CQC inspection they will work in collaboration with the service itself, people who use the services and wider stakeholders to support not only practice transformation but deliver a target operating model that meets the needs of 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 the improvement journey, 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 Transformation and Improvement journey within Adult Social Care.   Assessment of risk: The absence of a lead role in driving the transformation of Adult Social Care may expose the Council to significant risks, including those improvements that are linked to statutory provisions required to be delivered by us an organisation. The pace and scale of change that is required will be at risk of failing due to capacity of leaders in the Council should this role not be sourced.   This 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 annual expenditure up to end of March 2027 will be funded from Council reserves. Once approved by Council.   Legal advice obtained: The transformation of Adult Social Care through Project Unify requires the Council to resume delivery of statutory ASC functions previously provided under external arrangements. As services return in?house, the Council must ensure continued compliance with its statutory duties under the Care Act 2014 and Mental Capacity Act 2005, supported by clear governance and accountability.   Subject to compliance with the Council’s governance, employment and procurement requirements for the role, there are no legal barriers to progressing the proposal.   Financial advice obtained: The annual expenditure 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.   Further detail will be required for financial year 2027/28 to understand if the Transformation and Improvement role will be part of the permanent Adults and Health partnership leadership team.   Procurement advice obtained: Contractual Standing Orders states that where there is a suitable framework, this must be used unless there is an auditable reason not to do so.   There are several public frameworks for the procurement of specialist professional services put in place by large public sector organisations such as YPO, ESPO and Crown Commercial Services.   Following approval at Procurement Board the procurement team will assist the lead commissioner in establishing the most appropriate framework for this particular project.   HR advice obtained: This role is time critical to be able to deliver on the transformation and improvements required in Adult Social Care.  By engaging the candidate in this manner the organisation can secure expertise in the specialist area of ASC with all the legislative understanding to deliver sustainable and lasting change in the directorate.   The role needs to be considered when developing the new Target Operating Model for ASC and should it be required permanently then, once appropriate governance has been followed, recruitment should be undertaken to seek a permanent member of ASC Leadership Team through traditional recruitment routes ensuring long term value for money.   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.