The Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Adults meeting on Tuesday 14 July 2026 addressed supported living contracts in Banbury and for individuals with learning disabilities and autism. The meeting approved the tendering of a new supported living contract at the Banbury Cross development and agreed to extend existing HOWDAB2 Supported Living contracts for specific lots.

Banbury Cross Supported Living Contract

The Cabinet Member for Adults approved the tendering of a supported living contract for 14 flats at the Banbury Cross development. This contract will be procured via a mini-competition through the Live Well Supported Services Framework Lot 2. Authority was delegated to the Director of Adult Social Services to enter into the contract following the completion of the procurement process. The Banbury Cross development, funded by an investor/developer, will provide two blocks of flats, with one block offering skills training and communal space, and the other providing enhanced support for greater complexity of need. This initiative aligns with Oxfordshire's local offer to support individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism who are at risk of mental health detentions, as well as those requiring general support. The contract is expected to be for 10 years, with an initial maximum value of £7,348,963.85. The council's commitment to preventing homelessness and promoting independent living is a key driver for this development.

Learning Disability and Autism Supported Living Contract Extension

The meeting also approved an extension to existing HOWDAB2 Supported Living contracts, currently delivered by Brandon Trust, for Lots 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9. The extension will be for a further 44 days, from 14 September 2026 to 27 October 2026. This extension is necessary to maintain continuity of support while the council undertakes a new tender process for Lots 4, 8, and 9, following the outcome of a previous procurement exercise. The extension for Lots 1 and 2 will allow their mobilisation and contract start dates to be aligned with the replacement contracts for Lots 4, 8, and 9, avoiding the need for a separate tender process for these lots. A previous 44-day extension, from 1 August 2026 to 13 September 2026, had already been approved under delegated decision arrangements by the Director of Adult Social Care to allow more time for the procurement process and mobilisation. The combined value of these two extensions amounts to £1,856,128.68, which exceeds the council's £1 million key decision threshold. The extension ensures continued support for individuals with learning disabilities and/or autism while new contract arrangements are finalised.

Extra Care Housing Retender

The recommendations within the report concerning the Extra Care Housing Retender were approved. However, the specific details of this item were exempt from public disclosure, falling under the category of information relating to financial or business affairs, where the public interest in maintaining exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosure.

The meeting also confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 June 2026, with a minor amendment to a date. No declarations of interest were made, and no questions were raised by County Councillors or petitions presented by the public.