Decision

The
Assistant Director – Housing has decided to directly award a
contract commencing on 30th June 2025 and expiring on
31st December 2025 for semi-independent supported
housing to Riverside Housing Association Limited  with a contract value of
£138,690
 

Reasons for the decision

Supported Homeless Accommodation Services 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.
 
Riverside Housing Association are one of the incumbent suppliers
of semi-independent supported housing for homeless
people.
 
Arising
from the coming into force of the Procurement Act 2023 in February
2025, 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 Riverside Housing Association 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 30th June 2025
and is due to expire on 31st December 2025. The value of
the contract for this period is £138,690 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.