Purpose

That the Cabinet Member for Finance and
Resources determines the future of the Twelve15 service following
formal consultation, engagement and analysis of feedback and
responses to inform the decision.

Content

RESOLVED:
 

1.   
That Cabinet delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and
Executive Director for Resources (Section 151 Officer), in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources,
to:

Conclude the negotiations with the
provider
Engage with staff on the proposed
way forward
Enter into a contract with the
provider to transfer the business activities of Twelve15, with
appropriate engagement with staff and in compliance with any other
proper process
Finalise and implement all transfer
arrangements including staff transfer under TUPE, preserving
employment terms and conditions and novating all
contracts.

2.   
Alternatively, that Cabinet agrees to delegate the authority to the
Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director for Resources
(Section 151 Officer), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for
Finance and Resources, to close the Twelve15 business activities on
31 August 2026, in the event that it is not possible to agree
transfer terms with the provider. This includes finalising and
implementing all consequential activities required to effect
closure.
 

3.   
That Cabinet agrees programme resources of £0.450m, noting
that the implementation cost of closure will require the full
budgetary allocation as set out in part 2.
 
Reasons for
Decisions:
 
The preferred option to transfer the business
activity of Twelve15 including all existing school contracts and
staff to the new provider is recommended to mitigate the
longer-term financial risks whilst ensuring continuity of service
for schools and pupils and preserving employment opportunities for
staff through TUPE transfer.
 
The prospective provider is a market leader
with a robust operating model and a strong infrastructure with
values which align with the council’s commitment to quality
and community. It has expressed a clear intention to retain and
invest in the Twelve15 name, enhance operational efficiency, and
deliver innovation that the council cannot achieve within its
current operating model. Its ability to exercise commercial
freedoms, coupled with a commitment to staff development and
progression, provides greater assurance of a sustainable future for
the service.
 
The council has invested in the Twelve15
service through capital expenditure, earmarked reserves and
transformation initiatives. However, these measures cannot overcome
the structural challenges posed by Twelve15’s market
contraction, funding constraints and rising operational costs.
Retaining the service would expose the council to escalating
financial pressures and operational risks.
 
The recommended approach is to pursue the
transfer of the service to an external provider as the preferred
option with a view to transfer on 1 September 2026.
 
(The decisions on
this item can be called-in by the Resources and Performance Select
Committee)