Purpose

This report will seek approval
to assume the role of lead accountable body for the design,
procurement, and contract management of the South London
Partnership's (SLP) Connect to Work employment
programme.
 
By taking on this role, the
Council will coordinate sub regional efforts to deliver this
strategic initiative, ensuring efficient management, alignment with
local priorities, and effective delivery of employment support
across South London.
 

Content

The Executive Mayor and Cabinet
RESOLVED to;
 
2.1 Approve Croydon Council to
become the lead accountable body on behalf of the South London
Partnership (SLP) for the Connect to Work Programme. This will
include the Council leading on supporting the design, procurement,
commissioning and contract management of the contract.
 
2.2 Approve that upon contract
award, Croydon Council can commence delivery of the Connect to Work
from June 2025.
 
2.3 Delegate authority to the
Director of Planning & Sustainable Regeneration, to enter into
a grant agreement with the Department for Work & Pensions to
fully fund the Connect to Work Programme delivery.
 
2.4 Delegate authority to the
Director of Planning & Sustainable Regeneration, to enter into
agreements with the SLP Partners (London Boroughs of Kingston upon
Thames, Merton and Sutton) delivering on the Connect to Work
Programme.
 
2.5 Delegate authority to the
Director of Planning & Sustainable Regeneration to enter into
an agreement with Richmond upon Thames in relation to their direct
delivery arrangements.
 
2.6 Approve the procurement
strategy to procure the delivery of the Connect to Work Programme
via the Open Procedure for a 5 year
contract with an optional 2 year extension with an estimated
contract value of £29,100,000 across all SLP Partner boroughs
and an estimated Croydon contract value of
£18,080,400.
 
2.7 Note that the Chair of the
Contracts & Commissioning Board has approved the
recommendations in this report regarding the procurement strategy
in accordance with the requirements of the Council’s Tenders
and Contracts Regulations.