Purpose

The Cabinet Member: 
 
1.    
Approved the continued delegation of authority to Cambridgeshire
County Council (CCC) to act as lead local authority in
commissioning the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Floating Support
Service across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and for delivery of
the function for this service to CCC, which shall include the
associated transfer of funding to CCC for a five year period
(includes two one year extension periods).  This
delegation shall commence on the date the decision becomes
effective. 
 
2.    
The Council to enter into a delegation and partnering agreement
with CCC for the duration of the delegated
function. 

Reasons for the decision

The recommendations in this report will ensure that the
continuity of Floating Support to some of the most vulnerable in
society is achieved whilst taking the opportunity to seek
efficiency savings and address additionalcapacity in commissioning by tendering jointly
across PCC and CCC. 

 

The value for money and outcomes delivered by this type
of floating support are
excellent. 

 

It is the model of support that both Cambridgeshire and
Peterborough have worked
towards since 2018 and has worked well for both local
authorities. 

 

The recommendation will allow the council
to continue to
benefitfrom access to the Floating Support
Service but without having
to duplicate efforts in relation to elements such as
monitoringand contract
performance.  

 

The Homelessness
Act 2002 sets out the council’s powers to meet the aims of the
act and its
duties towards homeless people. 
 

Alternative options considered

Cut funding completely and stop the Floating Support. This was
rejected due to the key outcomes required that support PCC’s
statutory housing duty.
 
PCC to tender a single Floating Support contract and not
collaborate across the two local authority
areas.  This was rejected. 
Adopting a joint commissioning approach created efficiencies for
commissioners and procurement colleagues. The commissioning project
ensured partners would achieve their respective service
requirements and outcomes throughout the tendering
process.  Joint commissioning allows the
opportunity to consider whether savings can be achieved through a
formal tendering process.