The Officer Executive Decisions meeting of Hackney Council, scheduled for Thursday 07 May 2026, is set to consider a significant contract award for cleaning services across the borough's schools and children's centres. This meeting will also address the framework for these services, outlining the proposed supplier and the terms of the agreement.

Hackney Schools Cleaning Services Framework Contract Award

A key item on the agenda is the proposed award of a framework contract for cleaning services for Hackney's schools and children's centres. This framework is intended to run for an initial two years, with the option to extend for a further two years. The total estimated value of the framework over its potential four-year term is up to £6 million.

The report indicates that the framework aims to achieve economies of scale, offering value for money for participating schools and children's centres by reducing administrative burdens and enabling collaborative purchasing. It is also designed to improve working conditions for local employees, with a commitment to paying at least the London Living Wage. The framework is expected to contribute to the Mayor's Manifesto pledge of a bright future for every child and young person by ensuring clean and safe learning environments.

The procurement process involved a competitive tender, with 84 organisations expressing initial interest and 17 submitting proposals. Following evaluation, Supplier B has been identified as the Most Advantageous Tenderer (MAT). This supplier has demonstrated extensive experience in providing cleaning services to educational establishments and is recommended for appointment as the sole supplier on the new framework.

The report details the strategic policy context, aligning the procurement with Hackney Education's Good to Great Schools Policy and supporting schools in meeting their statutory duties under The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. It also outlines alternative options considered and rejected, including individual school procurements and the use of existing national frameworks, with the single-supplier framework being deemed the most effective approach.

The framework will include mandatory Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure service quality, with a portion of the payment structure for call-off contracts being based on performance. There are also scored KPIs related to rectifying complaints and invoicing timeliness. Additionally, the framework will incorporate sustainability and social value KPIs, focusing on local recruitment, apprenticeships, and spend with local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs).

The financial implications suggest no additional central council budget is required, as costs will be met by individual schools from their delegated budgets. The framework is expected to generate income for the council through a 1.5% annual fee paid by the successful supplier on the value of each call-off contract. The report also addresses HR/OD implications, including the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (TUPE) for transferring staff and the mandatory payment of the London Living Wage. Legal implications confirm the procurement process aligns with the Contract Standing Orders and the Procurement Act 2023.

The report is available in the Public reports pack Thursday 07-May-2026 09.00 Officer Executive Decisions.