Issue - meetings

This report seeks delegated authority to negotiate and award contracts between the council and schools listed in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2 in this report for the provision of Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARP), independent schools, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) education placements for the academic year 2015/16.  The report also considers future arrangement for placement of new students/pupils in subsequent academic years.

(i)         that it be noted that the costs of the proposed contracts referred to in Recommendation 2.2 are fully met from the DSG;

(ii)        that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Children and Young People, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Chief Legal Officer, authority to negotiate contracts for the provision of special education placements for the academic year 2015/16 to the schools listed in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2;

(iii)       that agreement be given to an exemption from the procurement requirements of the council’s Contract Standing Order No 96 to enable the council to negotiate the contracts referred to in (ii) above;

(iv)       that it be noted that officers would report on the outcome of the negotiations referred to in (ii) and if negotiations are successful, approval would be sought to the award of such contracts;

(v)        that it be noted the ongoing work detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 to secure longer term more sustainable contractual arrangements for the provision of Additional Resource Provisions for special education and alternative education placements for the academic years following the academic year 2015/16.

Councillor Moher (Lead Member, Children and Young People) reminded the Cabinet of the council’s statutory obligation to provide SEN (Special Educational Needs) places for young people. The report before the Cabinet sought delegated authority to negotiate contracts between the council and schools listed in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2 in the report for the provision of Additionally Resourced Provisions (ARP), independent schools, and English as an Additional Language (EAL) education placements for the academic year 2015/16.  The report also considered future arrangements for placement of new students/pupils in subsequent academic years.

In order to negotiate the contracts, the report sought exemption from the usual procurement requirements of the council’s Contract Standing Orders.  The contract was for one year however consideration would be given to a longer term arrangement.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that it be noted that the costs of the proposed contracts referred to in (ii) below were fully met from the DSG;

(ii)        that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director, Children and Young People, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Chief Legal Officer, to negotiate contracts for the provision of special education placements for the academic year 2015/16 to the schools listed in Table 3.1 and Table 3.2 of the report from the Strategic Director, Children and Young People;

(iii)       that agreement be given to an exemption from the procurement requirements of the council’s Contract Standing Order No 96 to enable the council to negotiate the contracts referred to in (ii) above;

(iv)       that it be noted that officers would report on the outcome of the negotiations referred to in (ii) and if negotiations are successful, approval would be sought to the award of such contracts;

(v)        that the ongoing work detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 to secure longer term more sustainable contractual arrangements for the provision of Additional Resource Provisions for special education and alternative education placements for the academic years following the academic year 2015/16.