Decision

To approve and sign the contract awards for activity provision for the Holiday Activity and Food programme (FUEL) for Summer 2026

Reasons for the decision

The Department for Education has provided funding for a Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) since 2021, with guaranteed funding until 31 March 2025. This involves the provision of free holiday provision including healthy food and enriching activities over six weeks a year – one week each at Easter and Christmas and four weeks over the summer holidays.

The Department for Education confirmed a further year of funding in January 2025. The council had agreements in place with twenty-one activity providers to cover up to the end of the Winter 2024 programme that were granted following approval of an exemption in April 2024.

The timelines required to accept grant funding and tender the service through the DPS would not have enabled a service at Easter. Contracts for activities were therefore varied or awarded based on exemptions for the Easter provision (Exemption 1332, as approved on 4th February 2025).

In accordance with the exemption panel instructions in April 2024, a Dynamic Purchase System (DPS) was set up to award activity provisions on a regular basis from Summer 2025 onwards. This was an extensive procedure that utilised resource from the Development Team, the Procurement Team and the Legal team.

Contracts for the food supplier and the nutritional education supplier were awarded on an exemption for a one-year contract, extendable by three years, dependent on funding. This allows the contract to align to the lifetime of the activity provider DPS and specification (Exemption 1333, as approved on 4 February 2025).

Contracts for activity provision for Summer and Winter 2025 were awarded in June 2025 through the DPS to providers covering areas of high need (Calne, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett, Warminster, Chippenham, Salisbury, Melksham, Trowbridge).

Additional contracts were awarded in June 2025 for Summer 2025 through the DPS to extend the reach of the programme.

Contract variations were awarded to some activity providers in November 2025 to ensure a varied programme at Winter 2025.

The DPS has remained open since it was established, to allow more activity providers to be admitted and to support programme development and delivery.

In December 2025, the Department for Education confirmed a three-year funding agreement to the end of the financial year 28/29. This funding is ring-fenced for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (branded as FUEL in Wiltshire).

The 2026 activity programme commenced on 30 March 2026.

Contracts have been awarded through the DPS to the following providers in areas of high need (Calne, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett, Warminster, Chippenham, Salisbury, Melksham, Trowbridge) for Easter, Summer and Winter 2026 to ensure a core programme for the year and to ensure capacity in areas of most need:

• ElevationX Ltd
• PH ActiveEd Ltd
• Magna Learning Partnership

Additional contracts were awarded to the following through the DPS for Easter 2026 to extend the reach of the programme:

• Activate
• ActiveMe 360
• ATB Skate Shop
• Buzz Action Foundation
• Draycott Sports Camps
• IG Sports Coaching
• Koala Klubs
• Next Thing Education
• Revolution Performing Arts
• Sam Ivin Photography
• Seeds4Success
• The Rise Trust
• The Pound Arts Trust
• West Wilts Gymnastics
• Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team
• Wylye Coyotes After School and Holiday Club
• UK S Futures

Contract Variations have been awarded to the following providers through the DPS to ensure provision across the county at Summer 2026:

• Activate
• ActiveMe 360
• ATB Skate Shop
• Buzz Action Foundation
• IG Sports Coaching
• Koala Klubs
• Next Thing Education
• Revolution Performing Arts
• Sam Ivin Photography
• Seeds4Success
• The Rise Trust
• The Pound Arts Trust
• West Wilts Gymnastics
• Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team
• Wylye Coyotes After School and Holiday Club
• UK S Futures

Contracts for Summer 2026 have been awarded for the following providers through the DPS:

• Dayla Equine Assisted Learning
• Salisbury Football Foundation

Direct awards have been made for the following providers to enhance provision in line with identified gaps and programme development.

• Wildlife for Wellbeing

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements: NA

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s): NA

Consultation with cabinet member(s), the Leader and Scrutiny (for Executive decisions taken under Emergency Powers): NA

Consultation in accordance with the council’s consultation guidance and the views emanating from that process: No

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure: The council has offered the HAF programme (FUEL) since 2021, in support of business objectives; tackling health inequalities and enabling the best start in life for eligible children.

Staffing, financial and legal implications: Yes

The assessment of any associated risks in accordance with the Council’s risk management strategy: Not offering this programme would increase the vulnerabilities of families on lower incomes, and result in reputational damage to the council. The Council will not be able to deliver against the requirements of funding for the Department for Education.

Involvement of appropriate statutory officers and/or corporate directors and directors: NA

Regional or national guidance from other bodies where relevant: The Department for Education provides guidance on the aims of the programme, the core offer and any signposting and safeguarding issues:
Holiday activities and food programme 2026 to 2027 - GOV.UK

The council’s constitution, including the Procurement and Contract Rules (Part 10) and the Financial Regulations and Procedure Rules (Part 9), all relevant guidance, legislation, codes of practice, and protocols: Yes, Part 10, Contract Rules

Alternative options considered

Cease the service - All funding would have to be returned to the DfE.
Not offering this programme would increase the vulnerabilities of families on lower incomes, and result in reputational damage to the council.