Decision

The Assistant Director – Housing has
decided to directly award a contract commencing1st May
2025 and expiring on 31st March 2026 for homeless
prevention floating support to the Whitechapel Centre with a
contract value of £268,654
 

Reasons for the decision

Supported Homeless
Accommodation Services, including visiting of
‘floating’ support assist people to develop the skills
they need to live independently and forms a crucial pathway for
people, preventing homelessness and promoting independence. It
significantly reduces levels of repeat homelessness and tenancy
failure, thereby generating financial savings across several budget
streams.
 
The Whitechapel Centre
was the incumbent supplier of Homeless Prevention Floating
Support.
 
Arising from the
coming into force of the Procurement Act 2023 and the need to await
the findings of the 5-year Homeless Review, the decision has been
made to directly award an interim contract to The Whitechapel
Centre to ensure continuity of essential services for homeless
people before undertaking a full re-procurement exercise.
 
The period covered by
this interim arrangement allows for the implications of the new
procurement regulations to be fully understood, and the findings of
the review used to shape commissioning activity over the
mid-term.
 
The interim direct
award contract began on 1st May 2025 and is due to
expire on 31st March 2026. The value of the contract for
this period is £268,654 which will be met through the
Supported Housing Programme budget.
 
The direct award of
this contract has been sanctioned by the Head of Procurement as an
exception to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules as set
out in the Council’s constitution at Part 4, Section 6
Contract Procedure Rules sections 12.4.1 b) a waiver of the rules
would be in the interests of the Council, be lawful, and provide
value for money. 
 
 

Alternative options considered

The alternative options were
 

To have allowed the
previous contract to naturally expire and not recommission. This
was discounted as this would leave the council without a key
contributing resource to meet its obligations under Housing
Law.

 

To have begun a
competitive procurement exercise prior to the expiration of the
previous contract, without concluding the Homeless Review. This was
discounted as the conclusion of the Review will ensure that all
future commissioning activity is strategically relevant and based
on a robust assessment of future need.