77 Waiver of Standing Orders - Missing from Home Care Service - KEY DECISION PDF 35 KB
Minutes:
The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Children and
Enterprise, on the contracted services for Missing from Home and Care Service
for young people across Cheshire.
The Board was advised that since 2008, Halton had commissioned a Missing
from Home and Care Service to fulfil its responsibilities under statutory
guidance. The Local Safeguarding Children Boards of Cheshire East, Cheshire
West and Chester, Halton and Warrington, along with Cheshire Constabulary, had
collaborated to produce a Pan Cheshire Joint Protocol. It was reported that all
four local authorities agreed to go ahead with a joint commission with Halton
as the lead authority. Catch 22 had been the successful provider since 2012.
It was further reported that the services were due to end on 31 March
2014. A waiver of Procurement Standing Orders was requested to enable service
delivery to continue without disruption, enabling the Council to fulfil its
statutory duty regarding looked after children. Details of the Business Case
for the continuation of the service were contained in the report for Members’
consideration.
Reason(s) for
Decision
Cheshire East,
Cheshire West and Chester and Warrington Local Authorities had all agreed to go
forward for the next 12 months with the same provider.
Alternative
Options Considered and Rejected
Not applicable.
Implementation
Date
1 April 2014.
RESOLVED: That
1) in light
of the exceptional circumstances set out in the report, the relevant
Procurement Standing Orders through 1.8.4 ( c) be suspended, where compliance
with Standing orders would result in a clear financial or commercial detriment
to the Council, 1.8.4. (f) where compliance with Standing Orders would be
inconsistent with Joint and Partnership working, or special external funding
arrangements, in respect of the contracted Missing from Home and Care Services.
Procurement Standing Orders 3.1 to 3.7Â
be waived on this occasion in order to extend existing contract with
Catch 22 for the provision of Missing from Home and Care Services to children
and young people across the four Local Authorities in Cheshire, in order to
ensure continuous care and support; and
2) the
Strategic Director, Children and Enterprise, be authorised, in conjunction with
the Portfolio holder for Children, Young People and Families, to enter into the
above contract for one year from April 2014 to the end of March 2015.