Content

The ADC and WBC
Cabinet Members agree to approve a 5-year (with 3-year break
clause) service contract with a private sector temporary
accommodation (TA) provider to acquire nomination rights to two
Houses in Multiple Occupation comprising 33 rooms of 24 hour
staffed TA with shared facilities for single people. To note that
all rooms are currently being used by our councils on a
spot-purchase basis. 
 
Within existing and
approved budgets, to agree a delegated authority for the Assistant
Director Housing and Homelessness Prevention to enter into a
service contract for the purpose of
acquiring TA.

Reasons for the decision

ADC Cabinet Member
for Housing & Citizen Services: Adur & Worthing has a
shortage of temporary accommodation in comparison with other local
authorities which means it has to use private sector provision.
It’s prudent for the councils to minimise the use of
spot-purchased accommodation and enter into a service level
agreement with a provider to bring down the overall costs.
It’s also preferable to secure accommodation within or as
close to Adur as possible to minimise the detrimental impact of
placing people out of the area.
 
WBC Cabinet Member
for Citizen Services: The need for temporary accommodation across
Adur and Worthing continues to rise against a backdrop of shortage
of affordable housing for our residents and unfortunately such
demand will clearly not subside in the near future. The Councils
have strived to provide Temporary Accommodation to qualifying
residents through a mix of methods that have included
spot-purchased nightly accommodation with private sector providers.
Given the constancy of need for this accommodation, as evidenced by
the continuous use of the units it is financially and operationally
a significant improvement to enter into long-term contractual
commitments, with a prudent break clause included. This arrangement
will not only ensure that Council funds are used in the most
effective manner but will also allow for better engagement around
service quality issues.

Alternative options considered

ADC Cabinet Member
for Adur Homes and Customer Services:
Consideration of not securing this service level agreement and the
implications of increased costs to the council, the impact on
families forced to move out of the area, and that it may result in
this accommodation being offered to another local authority or the
Home Office.
 
WBC Cabinet Member
for Citizen Services: The contracts follow from the consideration
of a continuation with spot-bookings of temporary accommodation,
and the decision attests to the improvements in financial,
operational and service quality respects over this
option.