Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in process)

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: February 26, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Notice of Executive Decision Published in Accordance with The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (“the Regulations”)   Title: Recommissioning of Specialist Information and Advice Services Key? Yes Urgent? No Decision Maker: Portfolio Lead Member for Health and Adults Decision Date: Wednesday 26 February 2025 Published: Wednesday 26 February 2025 For Call-in? Yes Call-in Expiry: Wednesday 5 March 2025   Purpose: Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) enables residents to access expertise and be supported to make more informed decisions about improving their lives and opportunities.  The core IAG contract in Waltham Forest is delivered by Citizens Advice Waltham Forest (CAWF). This contract is due for recommissioning which has given us an opportunity to review the model and offer.   An options appraisal has identified that CAWF are the only provider equipped to deliver the core IAG service in the Borough and it is therefore proposed that a contract should be awarded CAWF to deliver this service.  The proposed contract will be for 3 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years, with a value £393,975 a year. Decision Taken: I, the Portfolio Lead Member for Health and Adults, hereby approve the award of a contract to Citizens Advice Waltham Forest (CAWF) from 1 April 2025 for the period of three years with the option to extend for up to a further two years for the provision of information and advice.   And I have instructed the proper officer to publish this written record of my decision. Reason: As set out in the report. Alternative Options Considered: To reach the recommended proposal, the below alternative options were also considered.   Option 1: Do nothing   This would mean ending the IAG contract provided by the Council. The benefits of this would be a saving for the Council.   However, the risk of doing nothing to recommission the IAG contract would be significantly reducing the capacity of IAG delivery in the Borough. Many residents would be unable to access direct support which helps prevent the escalation of crisis. The result of this could be more residents in challenging situations and requiring more support from the Council and wider public services. IAG can also support individuals and the local area financially through maximising income. There is little capacity without the core IAG contract for IAG delivery to continue in Borough.   Option 2: Open procurement for a core provider.   DOCUMENTS All relevant documents must be published at least five clear days before the meeting, unless the proper officer agrees some or all of the documents contain exempt or confidential information, as defined by the Regulations. List of documents to be submitted to the Decision-Maker1: As per the agenda pack. Details of any exempt2 or confidential information3: Open Background Papers Used: None   Conflicts of interest declared by any executive member consulted by the decision-maker:   None. Dispensations granted in respect of above conflicts of interest: Not applicable           Signed __________________________________________ Portfolio Lead Member – Health and Adults     Date______________________________26 February 2025     1 Nothing in the Regulations authorises or requires documents relating to that decision to be disclosed to the public, or made available for public inspection where the documents contain confidential information or where the disclosure of the documents would give rise to the disclosure of exempt information or the advice of a political adviser or assistant. (Regulations 20(3)(a) and (b)) 2 “Exempt information” has the meaning given by section 100I of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information and power to vary Schedule 12A) (Regulation 2) 3 “Confidential information” means information provided to the local authority by a government department on terms (however expressed) which forbid the disclosure of the information to the public; or information the disclosure of which to the public is prohibited by or under any enactment or by the order of a court, and in either case, a reference to the obligation of confidence is to be construed accordingly” (Regulation 2).