Agenda item

DECISION

That the proposed in-house delivery from 1 July 2021 of MHCLG-funded Rough Sleeping Services, as set out in section 7 of the report, be approved.

Portfolio Holders and Officer

MG/MH

REASON FOR DECISION

The Portfolio Holder for Housing & Communities presented a report regarding the future service delivery of Rough Sleeping Services.

Within its Rough Sleeping Strategy, the Government had committed to halve rough sleeping by 2022 and end it by 2027. As part of this, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) launched a funding programme known as the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) in 2018 to support local areas to provide vital services for those living on the streets. Through this programme, local authorities had been required to apply for funding on an annual basis, with a commitment to reduce rough sleeping in their local area.

The Council had received funding from the RSI programme on an annual basis since 2019. There had been a marked reduction in rough sleeping across the borough and some notable success in bringing ‘Everyone In’ during the Covid 19 pandemic.  Services were currently funded to 30 June 2021, with delivery of outreach services led by a voluntary sector partner.

Further funding had been secured by the Council to deliver rough sleeping services for the period 1 July 2021 to 30 March 2022.  In consideration of the timing of the funding, staff capacity and parameters of the Council’s contract procedure rules, it was proposed that outreach and resettlement services were delivered through a Council-led delivery model from 1 July 2021.

Maintaining existing arrangements would mean the Council would not be compliant with its contract procedure rules.  However, if the Council carried out a full tender process, the timescales involved would lead to a gap in service delivery.  The service provided much-needed support for vulnerable individuals in the borough and it was crucial to provide continuity of service.

Therefore, it was recommended that the proposed in-house delivery of MHCLG funded Rough Sleeping Services be approved from 1 July 2021, as set out in section 7 of the report.  This would ensure continued delivery of services for vulnerable people and a continued focus on reducing and preventing rough sleeping across the borough and at the same time ensuring continued compliance with the Council’s contract procedure rules.

In response to questions, the Portfolio Holder explained that the Council’s contract with the current service provider, P3, had been extended once already and could not be extended a second time; the Council would, instead, have to carry out a full tender process, which would result in a gap in service.  Providing the service in-house avoided the need for a tender process.  The Council’s core grant funding arrangement with Centre Point Outreach was a separate matter.

Members stressed the need for continuity of this crucial service and commended the success it had achieved. 

OTHER OPTIONS OR ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED

1.    Maintain existing arrangements: this option is not recommended as it would not enable the Council to be compliant with its contract procedure rules.

2.    Carry out a full tender process: this option is not recommended as the timescales involved would lead to a gap in service delivery – this would be a risk.

3.    Not deliver rough sleeping services in Boston Borough: this option is not recommended as it would negatively impact on much needed support for vulnerable individuals in the Borough and would lead to an increase in rough sleeping in the Borough. Funding has been secured to deliver rough sleeping services across the Borough.

RECORD OF ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

RECORD OF ANY DISPENSATION GRANTED

None.