Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 13, 2025

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   TITLE:Approval to go out to competition for Unify Programme Due Diligence for Finance and Services    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 to go out to competition for Unify Programme Due Diligence for Finance Services to be procured in accordance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules through an existing Framework.   The Reasons are: The current timeline for repatriation of services to the Council will be from 1st April 2026 for the Aspire Services and during 2026/27 for the NCA/GMMH Services. Given the short timescales to expedite the proposed transfer of the delivery to the Council, immediate external specialist capacity will be required to undertake a financial baseline assessment, contract review and understanding of the commercial and legal risk.   By engaging an independent finance consultancy, the organisation benefits from objective oversight, specialist expertise, and dedicated resource capacity that may not be available internally. The consultancy’s impartial perspective enables more rigorous financial planning, risk mitigation, and governance, while their experience in managing complex transitions helps accelerate delivery without compromising control. This independent support not only safeguards financial integrity but also enhances stakeholder confidence in the programme’s success.   Options considered and rejected were: Consideration was given to managing the transition programme within the in-house finance team; however, the time constraints posed a significant challenge and could increase the risk of financial issues materialising during the process.   Assessment of Risk: High Risk – if the Council does not proceed with this approach there could be significant financial risk during the transition process and during the medium term.   The source of funding is: Given the one-off nature of the expenditure this will be require an in-year increase in the financial management budget funded from reserves.   Legal Advice obtained: This report sets out the rationale for recommending that external finance service provision be secured for the Unify Project. The route suggested in the report is via the Bloom ‘NEPRO3’ Framework. This is an external framework which complies with the requirements of the procurement legislation.   The Council’s Contractual Standing Orders allow for the Council to “use Framework Agreements, DPS’s and/or Dynamic Markets let by other local authorities, government departments, public bodies or Central Purchasing Bodies/Centralised Procurement Authorities” (subject to advice from shared legal services and/or the procurement team.   As the Procurement comment indicates below, NEPRO 3 is accessible to the Council as a contracting authority who holds a contract with Bloom. The framework allows for either direct award or mini-competition to any number of suppliers within a lot.   If a successful firm is identified to carry out the services required through the NEPRO3 framework, then the report confirms that a work order a call-off agreement (referred to by Bloom as a work) in the form required by Bloom would be entered into.   This report references the Unify Programme and why the commissioned work will be relevant to activities being undertaken a part of that project. However, this report is clear that external finance resource is urgently required to be procured and undertaken at this time because the commissioned finance work is necessary in order to establish the financial baseline. This is a critical activity which must be undertaken to ensure that the Council maintains sound financial governance and informed decision making. Therefore this activity would need to be undertaken by the Council in any event, and irrespective of the insourcing of Aspire or any other commissioning decisions still to be taken in connection with the Unify Programme.   Financial Advice obtained: Given the short timescales to expedite the proposed transfer of the delivery to the Council, immediate external specialist capacity will be required to undertake a financial baseline assessment, contract review and understanding of the commercial and legal risk.   This investment will significantly reduce the financial risks to Salford City Council associated with the transition, while also identifying key areas for the in-house team to prioritise. This will help ensure that Adult Social Care remains financially sustainable over the medium term.   Procurement Advice obtained: For the Professional Services requirement, using Bloom would be compliant with Contractual Standing Orders (CSOs). The Council has an existing contract with Bloom that is in place until 31st August 2027. The Council has the option to ask Bloom to run a mini-competition or direct award to any of their registered sub-providers. HR Advice obtained: N/A.   Climate Change Implications obtained: N/A.   Contact Officer: Samuel Russell Telephone number: N/A   Please delete from the bullets below any which are not relevant: ·     This matter is also subject to consider by the Lead Member for          Adults and Health Partnerships. The Lead Member has been consulted and is supportive of the proposed contract. ·     This decision is urgent and is not subject to call-in, in accordance with the Decision Making Procedure Rules.             .   Signed:     Cllr J Youd        Dated:    13 October 2025.              Lead Member   FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY:   *         This decision was published on 14 October 2025 *         This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 21 October 2025 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.