Decision details

For the Head of Programme Management, Regeneration and Economic Development to waive Contract Standing Orders and to enter into a contract with Waltham Forest Council for the secondment of a Creative Sector Employment Advisor to work with Haringey Works 2.5 days per week between 1st October 2023 to 31st March 2024 at a total cost of £12,000. This is in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO 10.01.2).

LB Haringey are a partner on the LB Waltham Forest led Mayor’s Creative Sector Skills Academy. This programme funded a specialist employment advisor to work with Haringey residents and employers and support people into creative sector employment. The post was funded through LB Waltham Forest’s ESF programme for 12 months from October 22 to September 23. When the ESF funding ended, a gap in service and support was identified. In order to continue this support for residents Haringey Works aims to enter into a contract with Waltham Forest to provide the post on a part time basis until end March 2024.

Option 1: Do nothing
This would have left a gap in support for residents and businesses in creative sector, and would have left an existing case load without specialist support offered by the current post-holder.

Option 2: Go to tender
Given the requirement for continuity of specialist support and need to be linked to the Creative Skills Academy, the requirement and the timescale would not be met by going to wider tender. The payment is to continue the support previously funded through ESF managed by LB Waltham Forest.

Option 3: Award the contract
This is the preferred option as secures the necessary skills and expertise for the council within the required timeframe.