Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: November 14, 2024

Purpose: To approve provision in the capital programme to develop appropriate children’s services accommodation and service delivery locations to support Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) to deliver services to children and families in North Northants

Content: RESOLVED   KEY DECISION   That the Executive.   a)      Noted the Council’s contractual obligations in the SDC to provide fit for purpose buildings to NCT and regularly maintain these to an appropriate standard.   b)      Approved that provision for £20,373,780 is made in the Council’s capital programme to develop appropriate children’s services accommodation and service delivery locations supporting Northamptonshire Children’s Trust (NCT) to deliver services to children and families in North Northamptonshire.   c)      Delegated authority to undertake the necessary due diligence and procurement (including the power to enter into any necessary legal agreements) required to facilitate the following, subject to business cases approved through the provisions in the SDC, where required:   i)               Delegated authority to Executive Director of Children’s Services following consultation with the Executive Director of Finance & Performance, the Assistant Director of Assets & Environment, the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education & Skills and the Executive Member for Finance & Performance to purchase land and/or properties for sites to provide children’s homes, supported and non-supported accommodation for care leavers, ii)              Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Assets & Environment following consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s Services, the Executive Director of Finance & Performance, the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education & Skills and the Executive Member for Finance & Performance to commence all procurement for works or services necessary to bring into effect the recommendations set out (i) above. iii)            Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Assets & Environment following consultation with the Executive Director of Children’s Services, the Executive Director of Finance & Performance, the Executive Member for Children, Families, Education & Skills and the Executive Member for Finance & Performance to procure and enter into the necessary contracts to fit out the sites in the NCT Office Accommodation Strategy.     d)         Approved the NCT Office Accommodation Strategy for North Northamptonshire as set out in this report.   e)         Delegated authority to the Assistant Director of Assets & Environment to agree the final Head of Terms and approve an agreement to enter into a lease of 12 Sheep Street in Wellingborough for office accommodation for NCT.       Reasons for Recommendations:   ·       To allow the Council to deliver its contractual responsibility to provide NCT with services classed as dependencies in the SDC which includes providing suitable accommodation for NCT to deliver its services.   ·       To deliver better services and outcomes for the children and families in North Northamptonshire and meet the Council’s statutory duties.   ·       To support NCT to deliver its savings programme for 2025/26 and in its MTFP.   ·       To ensure that the Council’s assets are maintained to an appropriate standard to deliver safe services to children and families.   ·       To procure and undertake the required works in line with the Council’s constitution and financial regulations in relation to governance.   Alternative Options Considered:   No alternatives have been considered because: ·     The Council has a contractual responsibility to provide fit for purpose accommodation for NCT to deliver services.  In addition, NCT’s £7.5m savings programme over 3 years is critically dependant on the development of the children’s homes and supported and independent accommodation for care leavers outlined in this business case.  ·     This proposal will assist the Council in fulfilling its statutory and contractual obligations, therefore it has a duty to pursue the programme outlined in this report. ·     The Council taking no action represents a clear and immediate risk to the Council’s contractual obligations as set out in the SDC with NCT and has potential significant impact on the delivery of services to children and their families and budgets.