Issue - meetings

This report requests approval to participate in a collaborative procurement with local authorities within the West London Alliance for the procurement of a 12 bed block contract for therapeutic children’s homes placements as required by Contract Standing Order 85. If agreed officers will present a further report at the tender award stage for member’s approval prior to contract award.

(i)         that approval be given to participate in a collaborative procurement of a 12 bed block contract for therapeutic children’s homes placements led by one of the other West London Alliance boroughs;

(ii)        that approval be given to the collaborative procurement exercise described in paragraph (i) being exempted from the normal requirements of Brent’s Contract Standing Orders in accordance with Contract Standing Orders 85(c) and 84(a) on the basis that there are good financial and operational reasons as set out in paragraph 3.4 to 3.8 of the report.

Councillor Pavey (Lead Member, Children and Families) introduced the report which requested approval to participate in a collaborative procurement with local authorities within the West London Alliance for the procurement of a 12 bed block contract for therapeutic children’s homes placements. The initiative was designed to reduce spending on externally commissioned placements and to be more proactive. Costs would be reduced through economies of scale and travel costs with savings of £3.2M over three years. Councillor R Moher (Lead Member, Resources) suggested that during negotiations, efforts be made to press for a better deal for the council given that there are no children’s homes in the borough. The Executive noted that a further report at the tender award stage would be presented for approval prior to contract award.

The Executive also had before them an appendix to the report which was not for publication as it contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972: 

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to participate in a collaborative procurement of a 12 bed block contract for therapeutic children’s homes placements led by one of the other West London Alliance boroughs;

(ii)        that approval be given to the collaborative procurement exercise described in paragraph (i) being exempted from the normal requirements of Brent’s Contract Standing Orders in accordance with Contract Standing Orders 85(c) and 84(a) on the basis that there are good financial and operational reasons as set out in paragraph 3.4 to 3.8 of the report.