Content

RESOLVED: Cabinet;

a)   
Approved the recommissioning of a Support Provider to deliver
a service that provides people with a history of rough sleeping or
at risk of rough sleeping who have multiple complex and medium to
high needs at Oasis House. The new contract will be for 3 years 6
months from 1 October 2025 with break clauses and an option to
extend for 1 year subject to internal/external budgets.

b)   
Authorised the Director of Housing and Communities to
commence the tender process with the new contract being put in
place by 1 October 2025.

c)    
Following the completion of a compliant procurement process,
authorises the delegation to the Director of Housing and
Communities, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and
Cabinet Member for Housing, to undertake the necessary due
diligence to finalise the terms and condition and award a contract
for a period of 3 years 6 months to the preferred supplier with
possible one-year extension, subject to the success and performance
of the service and confirmation of further funding.
 
REASONS RESOLVED:
 

1.    
The proposed service aligns to the key themes and priorities
contained within the Council’s One West Northants Plan,
Housing Strategy 2022-2025 and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping
Strategy 2024-2027 on preventing homelessness and reducing rough
sleeping.

2.    
Continuity of service provision during this period of
recommissioning the service, engagement and then retendering is
vital for this cohort of service users, without which they may
experience homelessness and increased vulnerability.

3.    
The recommendations allow WNC to address the gaps in single
rough sleeping and homelessness pathway provision.

4.    
WNC will be able to achieve better outcomes for people living
at Oasis House and enable them to move on to sustainable and
independent living. Additionally, the service will form an
essential part of a wider strategic response to homelessness and
rough sleeping and will complement internal and external
services.

5.    
Timely conclusion of the procurement via delegated authority
to award contract.
 
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS:

·      
Option 1- not recommended - Do nothing.
This is considered an
unsatisfactory option because of the adverse impact on the
residents at Oasis House. The delivery of a provision that is
targeted at single people is a key component in how we deliver on
our statutory duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act and the
Housing Act.
 
Not tendering for support
service that is focused on the needs of this client cohort and
allowing the service to lapse at the end of the current contract
would result in increased costs. The financial implications of
accommodating 58 individuals in alternative temporary housing would
impose a significant cost on the Council. Costs estimates might
range from:
• the lowest HMO rate with
full HB recovery of £20.16 x 205 nights x 59 people =
£243,835 (Over a year it would cost
£434,145)
• the highest rate of
B&B rate with no HB recovery will range between £42-
£50 calculated as follows:
- £42 x 205 nights x 59 =
£507,990 (Over a year it would cost
£904,470)
- £50 x 205 nights x 59
people = £604,750 (Over a year it would cost
£1,076,750)
Additionally, it would have
broader repercussions on public services, including ‘blue
light’ services, community safety, mental health provision
and substance misuse services. There is also a considerable
reputational risk to the Council where the numbers of single
residents who are made homeless increases and instances of reported
rough sleeping increase.
 
·      
Option 2- not recommended
To deliver the support service
in-house.
This will require significant
investment to set up and deliver an in-house specialist support
e.g. financial implications as setting up service is likely to cost
more than a commissioned service. The complex nature of the client
group requires expertise and capacity, although there is expertise
around this client group, there is not current in-house experience
of providing a support service of this scale. As such, this is not
a viable option at this time.
 
·      
Option 3- recommended
Undertake a competitive
procurement exercise and enter into a contract with an external
support provider to deliver the service.
The delivery of the support
provision at Oasis House is a key component of the Council's
homelessness response as well as its commitment to ending rough
sleeping. Commissioning a new provider to deliver the service
allows an opportunity to ensure that there is little or no
disruption in the delivery of the service, while also allowing
adjustments to the terms of the contract and the delivery model to
better reflect strategic priorities and increasing
demand.