Agenda item

This report sought Cabinet Member approval to implement Contract Standing Order 10.02.1b, to vary and extend the current contract for the Strategic Partner for the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) with the Bridge Renewal Trust.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

1. To approve in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 10.02.01(b), the variation and extension of the contract for the Strategic Partner for the Voluntary and Community Sector with the Bridge Renewal Trust, for a period of up to 6 months from 1January 2024 to 30 June 2024, at a value of £83,400 if extended for the full six months.

2. The aggregated value of the contract from 1February 2020 to 30 June 2024 was £736,700.

Reasons for decision

The VCS Strategic Partner contract with the Bridge Renewal Trust ended on 31 December 2023. The service had been redesigned before undertaking a competitive tender process for a new service. The tender process was still in its early stages, with the supplier market engagement event held on 7September 2023 and tender documents published on 25September 2023. The contract extension for a period of up to 6 months was required to allow sufficient time to complete the tender process and ensure continuity of service to the VCS organisations in the intervening period.

The re-design of the new service was informed through engagement with the VCS, focused more strongly on capacity building and with clear and transparent accountability to both the Council and wider sector, ensuring equitable access to support and external funding opportunities. The new service specification reflects that the new service should be innovative, responsive, flexible and more strategically aligned as a VCS Capacity Building Partner service in Haringey.

The VCS Partner provided the sector with capacity building and fundraising support, networking and partnership development opportunities and runs the Volunteer Centre in Haringey which provided guidance on recruiting and managing volunteers. The service also acted as a medium for communication between the Council and the voluntary sector.

Further support for and development of partnership working with the voluntary and community sector in the borough was a key strategic priority for the Council and was incorporated throughout the Corporate Delivery Plan 2022/2024. Approval of this extension to cover the period until the new service begins, and to support and enable preparation for the new model, will support delivery of these strategic objectives.

The Bridge Renewal Trust’s performance had been evaluated as good throughout the contract period, albeit the Council had identified changes that are required in the overall approach to be delivered through the new specification. Key Performance Indicators and methods of measurement are integrated within the service specification and were monitored through contract monitoring meetings and reports.

Alternative options considered

In-house provision was considered and found not to be suitable for full delivery of this service for the proposed extension period due to the work that would be required to insource the service. There is also a need for an independent partner to provide representation to the sector, which already works collaboratively with Council’s dedicated Voluntary & Community Sector Team.

Consideration was given to cease the contract in December 2023, in lieu of the commissioning process. However, given the Council’s strategic objective to develop support for the voluntary and community sector, to cease the contract would have an adverse impact on delivery of strategic outcomes as well as on those organisations in the sector and therefore on the many residents who they support. Therefore, it is not deemed in the best interests of the voluntary and community sector or the Council to cease the contract.