Purpose

A decision is being sought to request approval
for an exemption under Rule 21 of the Contract Procedure Rules
(CPRs) to waive the requirement under Rule 4 of the CPRs to obtain
3 quotes. Subject to approval of the exemption, authority is then
needed for the required budget and for a direct contract award to
the Kingfisher Learning Trust to deliver training, support and
coaching for the Better Communication Team.

Content

RESOLVED - That:
1. This report seeks firstly seeks an approval under Rule 21 of the
CPRs for an exemption to the requirement under Rule 4 to obtain 3
quotes for the required specialist coaching and training to improve
outcomes for children in Oldham in speech, language and
communication (“Services”). Subject to the approval of
the exemption, approval is then needed for the budget and for from
the Contract Procedure Rules to enable a direct contract award to
be made to the Kingfisher Learning Trust for their specialist
expertise to support the Better Communication Team in Oldham by
providing the Services specialist coaching and training to improve
outcomes for children in Oldham in speech, language and
communication at a cost for 1 year.

Reasons for the decision

Option 1 - Approval for an exemption from Rule
4 of the Contract Procedure Rules and for the required budget and
for a direct contract award to be made to the Kingfisher Learning
Trust for the Services.

Option 2 - To go out to the North West Portal.
Officers are not aware of any additional providers of the required
service.
This option poses a risk to the council as the specialist expertise
is specific and delaying the process with implications on
timeframes and establishing strong relationships, causing delay to
the needs of Oldham children’s speech and language when there
are already long waiting lists with the core speech and language
service

Option 3 - Not to provide specialist support within the Better
Communication Team. This poses a risk to the Council places
pressure on an already stretched service with implications on
Oldham children having increased delay in seeking support for their
speech and language needs.

Alternative options considered

Option 2 - To go out to the North West
Portal.
Officers are not aware of any additional providers of the required
service.
This option poses a risk to the council as the specialist expertise
is specific and delaying the process with implications on
timeframes and establishing strong relationships, causing delay to
the needs of Oldham children’s speech and language when there
are already long waiting lists with the core speech and language
service

Option 3 - Not to provide specialist support within the Better
Communication Team. This poses a risk to the Council places
pressure on an already stretched service with implications on
Oldham children having increased delay in seeking support for their
speech and language needs.