Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report that sought a waiver in compliance with Procurement Standing Order 1.14.4 iv of part 3.1 and 3.2 of Procurement Standing Orders to allow the continuation of a contract with SHAP (St Helens Accommodation Project) to deliver on behalf of the Council, the Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation Service, for a period of one year from 11 January 2026 to 10 January 2027.

          The request for authorisation of a waiver rather than implementing a tender process was due to the following:

·       the current service was well known and performing well and met all required expectations. In the current situation it would be difficult for a new provider to become established as it was a specialist provision; and

·       the contract delivered on a statutory duty to provide refuge accommodation, there could be no gap in service provision.

          RESOLVED: That the Board approves the contract with SHAP that expires on 10 January 2026 to be extended for twelve months without going through the procurement process, in pursuance of Procurement Standing Order 1.14.4 (non-emergency procedures – exceeding a value threshold of £100,000), seeking to waive part 3.1 and 3.2 of Procurement Standing Orders.