Purpose

At its meeting on 5th February 2025, Cabinet approved Council entry into a new contract with its Local Authority Controlled Company (LACC); Barnet Education & Learning Service Limited (BELS) for the provision of Education & Skills (and associated) Services, commencing on 1st April 2025 for 5 years (with the potential to extend for a further 3 years subject to satisfactory performance and available budget).

Cabinet also approved the early termination of the existing contract (to conclude on 1st April 2025), to enable the implementation of a new agreement that establishes more advantageous and contemporary terms. The parties are separate legal bodies but the revised contract is designed to better reflect the relationship between the parties, underpinned by shared objectives and a strong commitment to collaborative, partnership-based working.

Authority was delegated (by Cabinet) to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to finalise and enter into and agree the terms of the contract, scope of services to be based on paragraph 1.9 ofFuture deliveryof theBarnet Education and Learning Service (BELS) (see ‘Background Papers’ section 9.1 of this report).

This report outlines the areas of material change to the contractual arrangement, notably the transition from a predominantly commercial framework/arrangement to one that more accurately reflects the Council’s relationship with BELS. The revised agreement is grounded in a shared commitment to delivering education services, with a strong emphasis on aligned goals, partnership working, and a collaborative ethos between the parties.  This report also confirms the budget and the scope of services.