Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 14, 2024

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   I Councillor Youd, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services and chairman of the Procurement Board, in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution do hereby:   ·      approve the extension of the Contract forthe Targeted Support to Help Salford Young People Engage in Appropriate and Compliant Education, Employment and Training Provision Service in order to continue delivery of the NEET support for young people programme, as detailed in the table below:   Detail required Answers Contract Reference Title/Description of Contracted Service/Supply/Project Targeted Support to Help Salford Young People Engage in Appropriate and Compliant Education, Employment and Training Provision Name of Contractor Career Connect Type of organisation (to be supplied by Corporate Procurement) Registered Charity Status of Organisation (to be supplied by Corporate Procurement) SME Value of Contract Extension (£) £153,648 full project Existing Contract Term   01/01/2024 – 31/03/2026 Extension Period 01/04/2025 – 30/09/2025 Contact Officer (Name & number) SARAH SCANLAN Lead Service Group Place Funding Source External Funding Source (please identify below)   GMCA Reserves Ethical Contractor (EC): Mayor’s Employment Charter EC: Committed to sign the Charter EC: Accredited Living Wage Employer   The reasons are: GMCA have allocated £22 million to the People and Skills investment priority from the national UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), to be matched by £16.68m in recycled Local Growth Funds.   One of the programmes of activity within this theme is focused on engaging those people furthest away from the labour market, including NEET young people (aged 15-18 years and up to 25 with young people with SEN, and 21 if care experienced) who are disengaged from mainstream education, work and skills services.   GMCA agreed to directly grant fund local authorities for the NEET element of the UKSPF People and Skills investment priority and Salford was allocated £470,000 for the period of 1st October 2023 – 31st March 2025 to deliver specific output and outcome targets. This grant funding was used to enhance our commissioned Targeted Young Person’s service which was awarded to Career Connect.   GMCA have now agreed to extend the UKSPF delivery model through the use of  GMCA reserve funding totalling £156,000 for the period 1st April 2025 to 30th September 2025.   As the current UKSPF funded NEET Support Programme is delivered through our existing Targeted Support for Young People service delivered by Career Connect,  it is proposed that we passport the additional GMCA reserve funding through a contract extension (variation) of £153,648 into this existing Salford contract.   This will allow us to continue to enhance our local service offer over a longer period, ensure continuity of support for young people by building on the existing UKSPF programme through continued staffing resources, and allow us to respond to the needs of Salford young people in a more timely and proactive way. This will also provide value for money and avoid confusion.   Please note that the remainder of the funding allocation (£2,352) will be used by the Skills and Work team to provide additional activity-based provision which supports young people who are NEET.   Options considered and rejected were: The existing service delivery is already underway, including staffing resources allocated.  This extension funding will be most appropriate to include into existing service delivery for the extended period stated to September 2025, which complements our core council funded service for young people. This will provide continuity and security for the frontline delivery staff, some of which are Salford residents. Therefore, no other options have been considered.   Assessment of risk: The additional GMCA reserve funding will provide enhanced targeted support for young people who are NEET/ at risk of becoming NEET for a longer duration. Any delays in agreeing the procurement arrangements for the resources could de-stabilise the current UKSPF NEET service delivery in Salford.   The source of funding is: The Budget that will meet the cost of the scheme is through GMCA.   Legal advice obtained: Yes – supplied by Tony Hatton 219 6323, on 06.09.24.   Financial advice obtained: Yes – supplied by Luba Velychko, Accountant, Place.   Procurement advice obtained: Yes – supplied by The Corporate Procurement Team, Emma Heyes, Category Manager, on 06.09.24.   HR advice obtained: N/A.   Climate change implications obtained: N/A.   The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: ·      UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for NEET Young People – Commissioning Proposals – Report to Lead Member for Children And Young People’s Services on 31st August 2023.   ·      Approval to Award the Contract for Targeted Support to Help Salford Young People Engage in Appropriate and Compliant Education, Employment and Training Provision  - Report to Procurement Board on 13th September 2023.   ·      UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for NEET Young People – Extension to delivery through GMCA reserve funding - Report to the Lead Member for Skills & Work and Business Support Services on 11th September 2024. Contact details: Contact Officer: Sarah Scanlan    Email: sarah.scanlan@salford.gov.uk   Please delete from the bullets below any which are not relevant: ·      This matter is also subject to consideration by the Lead Member for Skills & Work, Business and Workforce ·      Lead Member has been consulted and is supportive of the proposed contract. ·      This matter is also subject to consideration by the Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services. ·      The appropriate Scrutiny Committee to call-in the decision is Children’s.     Signed:    Cllr J Youd          Dated:    14 October 2024.                Lead Member   FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY   *           This decision was published on 14 October 2024 *           This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 21 October 2024 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.