Refugee Resettlement Support Contract Forward Procurement Arrangements - Key decision
Minutes:
The Board considered a report of the Executive Director Environment and Regeneration, which sought approval for the award of a contract for the re-settlement support contract.
Reason for Decision
To provide consistency in support for refuges arriving in Halton. The contract incurs expenditure and has a significant impact on both Halton’s new and established communities. The integration of new cohorts and diverse communities had the potential to generate community tensions, the resettlement support is an approach to mitigate this.
Alternative options considered and rejected
The alternative would be to conduct an options appraisal to identify preferred options and progress appropriate procurement arrangements however, there is no capacity available currently to support a procurement process within timescales before the expiry date.
Implementation date
1 April 2025 to 31 March 2027.
RESOLVED: That the Board approve a VEAT (Voluntary Ex-ante Transparency) notice to enable the Council to directly award a two-year contract to the incumbent provider for the re-settlement support to ensure continuity of care in compliance with Procurement Standing Order 1.5.8.