Issue - meetings

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People, which sought approval for Halton Borough Council to lead the procurement of Independent Advice and Guidance (IAG) services on behalf of Halton, Liverpool, Wirral and Knowsley Councils.

The Board was advised that the Education and Skills Act 2008 placed certain duties on local authorities to encourage, enable and assist young people to participate in education or training. A revised approach, known as the Halton Participation Strategy, was approved by the Board on 17 October 2013. An element within the Participation Strategy was the commissioning of a service to provide information, advice and guidance. It was noted that this service was carried out on behalf of the Liverpool City Region (LCR) authorities, with the procurement process led by Halton Borough Council. Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership were awarded the contract for a two year period on 1 April 2014, with an option to extend this to 31 March 2018.

The Board noted that Halton and the LCR authorities of Knowsley, Liverpool and Wirral wished to maintain a similar service from 1 April 2018, and a joint procurement process, led by Halton, would seek to procure four, twelve month periods; this would allow for consistency of service, but with an option to reduce or terminate annually, should financial or other circumstances change.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the report be noted; and

2)    the Board approves Halton Borough Council acting as lead in the joint procurement process with Liverpool, Knowsley and Wirral local authorities.