Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: July 14, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   I Councillor Youd, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services and chairman of the Procurement Board, accept the recommendation of the Procurement Board and in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution do hereby approve:   the extension of Contract for The Literacy Hub, as detailed in the table below:   Detail required Answers Contract Reference  (to be supplied by procurement) S1711 Title/Description of Contracted Service/Supply/Project The Literacy Hub Name of Contractor National Literacy Trust Type of organisation (to be supplied by Procurement) Registered Charity Status of Organisation (to be supplied by CoProcurement) SME Value of Contract Extension (£) £245,000 per annum Total value of Awarded (including extension period) £245,000 per annum, total value £735,000 Existing Contract Term 01/07/2024 to 30/06/2025 Extension Period 01/07/2025 to 30/06/2027 Contact Officer (Name & number) Cathy Starbuck Lead Service Group Children's Services Funding Source Revenue Budget Ethical Contractor (EC): Mayor’s Employment Charter Yes EC: Committed to sign the Mayor’s Employment Charter Yes EC: Committed to the principles outlined in the Mayor’s Employment Charter Yes EC: Accredited Living Wage Employer Yes EC: Committed to becoming Accredited Living wage Employer Yes   The reasons are: There is provision within the current contract to extend the agreement for a further period from  01/07/2025 to 30/06/2027.   The development of the Literacy Hub with National Literacy Trust is a key vehicle to ensure that literacy is given a high profile in Salford and that the Literacy Strategy is embedded fully, providing high quality training and development in schools and settings and addressing issues of pupil confidence and parental engagement.   Options considered and rejected were: The current contract includes an extension clause, allowing for an extension of two years. This is the preferred option.   Assessment of risk: AMBER – The risks of not completing this element of the overall approach to literacy are significant as improving literacy is a key recommendation from the Children’s Scrutiny report. This work is an essential part of embedding the Literacy Strategy and would be a key vehicle to ensure that literacy is given a high profile in Salford.   The source of funding is: The Budget that will meet the cost of the scheme: E2702.   Legal advice obtained: When commissioning contracts for the procurement of goods, services or the execution of works, the Council must comply with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) and its own Contractual Standing Orders (CSO’s), failing which a contract may be subject to legal challenge from an aggrieved provider.   It is an established principle that an existing public contract is capable of being extended (or modified providing any modification does not affect the overall nature of the contract), and CSO’s also allow for contract extensions to be made, where the parties agree and where the original contract makes provision for such an extension of the original term.   When the contract was originally awarded last year, it was clear that the original term would be subject to two potential extensions of twelve months. Accordingly, any risk that the extension would be subject to realistic challenge by an aggrieved provider is extremely low, and the option to extend within the contract is now being properly exercised.   Financial advice obtained: The City Council has agreed an investment of £245k per year for three years to support the development of a literacy hub. This budget amount has been allocated to the children’s services budget and is on SAP cost centre E2702.   Procurement advice obtained: The contract includes an extension clause, allowing for an extension of two years. During this extension, Procurement will work with Commissioning to support re-commissioning as required, ensuring compliance and following a suitable route to market.   HR advice obtained: N/A   Climate change implications obtained: N/A   Contact details: Contact Officer: Cathy Starbuck Telephone number:   Please delete from the bullets below any which are not relevant: This matter is also subject to consider by the Lead Member for Childrens. The Lead Member has been consulted and is supportive of the proposed contract. This matter is not subject to consideration by another Lead Member.     Signed:    Cllr J Youd          Dated:    14 July 2025.                Lead Member       This decision was published on 15 July 2025 This decision will come in force at 4pm on 22 July 2025 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.