Purpose

Approval to jointly commission with WNC a new contract/s for
Domestic Abuse Refuge provision

Content

RESOLVED
 
KEY DECISION
 
That the Executive:
 

a)       
Authorised commencement of procurement, jointly with West
Northamptonshire Council, for safe accommodation (refuge) provision
for victims and survivors of domestic abuse within
Northamptonshire.

b)       
Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Communities
and Leisure, in consultation with the Executive Member for
Communities, to take any further decisions and/or actions required
to undertake and conclude the procurement, award and enter
into a contract for the provision of safe accommodation
(refuge) across Northamptonshire.
 
Reasons for
Recommendations:
 

·               
To enable the Stronger and Safer Communities and Procurement
services to work with colleagues in West Northamptonshire Council,
who are leading this procurement, to employ the most effective and
compliant route to secure a contract to provide safe accommodation
(refuge) across the county, combining resources to develop a
service that meets the needs of both authority areas. This
collaborative approach will maximise efficiencies and ensure the
use of the most effective and compliant procurement route to secure
safe accommodation and support services across
Northamptonshire. 

·               
To ensure North Northamptonshire Council is compliant with
the duties afforded to it under the Domestic Abuse Act of
2021.  
 
Alternative Options
Considered:
 
Option 1: not
recommended? 
Do nothing. 
 
This is considered an
unsatisfactory option because of the adverse impact on the
victims/survivors of domestic abuse in both North and West
Northamptonshire. The delivery of a single contract that is
targeted at victims/survivors of domestic abuse is a key component
in how we deliver on our statutory duties under the Domestic Abuse
Safe Accommodation Act. Therefore, discontinuing the service will
create a gap in statutory and non-statutory provision which will be
detrimental to adults, children and young people impacted by
domestic abuse. 
 
Option 2- not
recommended? 
Council continues to fund the
service under the existing grant arrangement. 
 
The existing commissioning
arrangements fail to deliver a whole system model of safe
accommodation (refuge) and support service for victims/survivors of
domestic abuse that addresses demand and need. It also does not
provide the same opportunities as a joint procurement would to
realise efficiencies going forward.  
 
Option 3 -
recommended? 
For the Council to enter
into joint procurement arrangements with West
Northamptonshire Council. 
 
This will combine both
Council’s resources and budgets to develop a whole system
approach to safe accommodation services (including refuge) and
support which meets the needs of both authority areas whilst
maximising efficiencies and impact.