Issue - meetings

This report provides an overview of the current trend towards an increase in the numbers of those sleeping rough in the borough, illustrating the clear need to maintain the current level of resourcing for rough sleeping services for the foreseeable future, but identifying, in light of the Homeless Link Needs Analysis, the desirability of remodelling the structure of these services to sharpen focus and so improve quality.

The report requests approval to invite tenders as required by Contract Standing Orders 88 and 89 in respect of a contract for Rough Sleepers Outreach Services and a contract for Rough Sleepers Housing Advice and Resettlement Services.

RESOLVED:

               (i)           that tenders be invited for a contract for Rough Sleepers’ Outreach Services and a contract for Rough Sleepers’ Housing Advice and Resettlement Services on the basis of the pre - tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.21 of the report submitted;

(ii)        that officers evaluate the tenders received on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.21 of the report submitted before reporting back to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

Councillor McClennan (Lead Member for Regeneration and Housing) introduced the report by stating that there had been a significant increase in the numbers of those sleeping rough in the borough.  An independent needs analysis had shown how there was a clear need to maintain the current level of resourcing for rough sleeping services but also a desire to remodel the structure of these services to sharpen focus and so improve quality. 

Members of the Cabinet discussed how the work undertaken in supporting rough sleepers needed to be integrated with other support provided such as through the employment strategy.  Questions were asked around the level of outreach work and how any service provider might cope with those rough sleepers that had serious drinking problems.  The Director of Regeneration and Growth replied that the contract required increased outreach work so that contact could be made with more people.  He added that the provider would be expected to have the ability to deal with those that had a drinking problem but that there was also an element of responsibility on the rough sleeper to respond positively to the support provided.   

RESOLVED:

               (i)         that tenders be invited for a contract for Rough Sleepers’ Outreach Services and a contract for Rough Sleepers’ Housing Advice and Resettlement Services on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.21 of the report submitted;

(ii)        that officers evaluate the tenders received on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.21 of the report submitted before reporting back to a future meeting of the Cabinet.