The Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee (CPIC) convened to discuss several key procurement and contract-related matters, including extending a sexual health services contract, awarding a contract for family time services for looked-after children, and setting a procurement strategy for security services. The committee also approved a contract for remedial works to Stoke Newington Library and an asset management delivery framework for construction contractors.

Clinical Sexual Health Services Contract

The committee agreed to extend the current contract with Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust for clinical sexual health services from 1 August 2025 to 31 March 2026, at a value of £2,533,333. There is also an option to extend it for up to a further year at a value of £3,800,000 per annum. Additionally, the contract for the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in-reach and out-reach nurse was extended from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, at a value of £87,793 per annum.

The decision to extend the contract was made to allow for service redesign work to take place, considering increased demand and rates of sexually transmitted infections, as well as inflationary pressures. The extension also allows for the London Sexual Health Programme to deliver an updated service specification and undertake an open book exercise to compare costs across NHS trusts.

This recommissioning exercise aligns with Hackney Labour's 2022-26 manifesto pledge to partner with the London Sexual Health Programme and work towards no new HIV infections by 2030. It also supports the Women’s Health Strategy for England (2022) and the National HIV Action Plan (2021).

Family Time Services for Looked After Children

The committee approved the award of a contract for the provision of Family Time Services for Looked After Children to Provider C for a maximum period of five years (3+1+1 years) at a cost of up to £3,333,989. The service provides safe contact between children looked after by the local authority and their families.

The decision was made following a procurement process initiated after the previous provider went into administration. The new contract aims to ensure that all Looked After Children have access to a responsive and cost-effective Family Time Service. The service will primarily be delivered from the Ferncliff Centre.

Alternative options considered and rejected included:

• Doing nothing, as the council has a statutory duty to promote contact between children and their families.
• Procuring a framework agreement, which was deemed to carry a risk of inconsistent service delivery.
• Insourcing, which was considered more expensive and lacking the independence of an external provider.

The successful provider has committed to recruiting local Hackney residents and those from vulnerable or underrepresented backgrounds, offering apprenticeships and paid work placements.

Security Services Contract

The committee approved a one-year extension of the current call-off contract pertaining to Lots A, B, & C from 3 August 2025, to allow time to re-procure the services. Lot A refers to Corporate Site Security Services.

The committee also approved the preferred procurement strategy for Lot A, Corporate Site Security Services, through a closed framework agreement in conjunction with Lots B and C. The procurement strategy for Lot A includes bringing the Meet and Greet role for corporate buildings and various ceremonial duties back in-house to be delivered by the Facilities Management and Customer Operations Team.

Two options were considered for Lot A:

1. Reprocurement of the Lot A Security Services Framework with Joint Delivery Model
2. Insourcing of Lot A

The recommended option was to re-procure the Lot A Security Services Framework with a Joint Delivery Model. The reason that Option 2 was not recommended is that insourcing the service will cost considerably more than tendering for a replacement outsourced service over the four (4) year period.

Stoke Newington Library External Remedial Works

The committee approved the appointment of Supplier A to deliver the contract for the Stoke Newington Library External Remedial Works Project, which includes repair and improvement works to the roof, windows, brickwork, and masonry of the library building. The contract is valued at £2,586,878.68 (inclusive of VAT) and is expected to last 12 months.

The decision was made to restore the Grade II listed exterior of the library, which has deteriorated due to rainwater ingress. The project aims to repair the damage to the building’s fabric, ensuring that it will remain in sustainably good condition in future years.

Asset Management Delivery Framework for Construction Contractors

The committee approved the award of the Asset Management Delivery Construction Contractors Framework Agreement to support the delivery of the Council’s Asset Management Delivery Capital programme. The framework agreement was awarded to the following bidders:

• Lot 1 - Mechanical: Bidders A, B, C, D
• Lot 2 - Electrical: Bidders L, A, B, M
• Lot 3 - Fabric: Bidders A, R, E, I

The framework is valued at £83.4 million (inclusive of VAT) and will last for four years. The framework will mostly consist of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) that can be regularly used by Hackney Council.