Issue - meetings

Brent Council currently commission a London charity, Hestia, to deliver Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA), Family Support and Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) coordination services. Hestia are in their final year of service delivery which commenced 03 Dec 2014, ending 02 Dec 2017.  The contract is due to be reviewed and upon agreement will need to be re-tendered in June 2017 to ensure deadlines are met for a smooth service transition. 

RESOLVED:

7.1         Cabinet agreed the proposed option, Option 1 detailed in 3.14, to commission IDVA, Family Support and MARAC coordinator services and for the contract spend to continue to deliver high level support services.

7.2         Cabinet agreed for the proposed Option 1 contract to be let for a term of three years, with a break option and the option to extend for a two year period after the initial term of three years.

7.3         Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the lead member and the Strategic Director of Children and Young People, to approve the award of the contract to the successful tenderer; following the procurement process to ensure timely service implementation.

Councillor Tom Miller, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, introduced the report, emphasising the different functions of the proposed contract and drawing the Cabinet’s attention to the options for the contract specification detailed in the report. Recommending Option 1, Councillor Miller stated that the council had been advised that the current services were excellent. Option 1 envisaged an upgrade of the current contract specification, delivering a greater number of referrals at a lower cost through various efficiencies. Option 2 would offer an increase in service specification requiring an increase in expenditure. Conversely, Option 3 would result in reduced costs but would reduce the number of people that the service would be able to support by 200 to 300.  In concluding his introduction, Councillor Miller emphasised the value of the support services and reiterated that Option 1 would permit these to continue and through efficiencies allow for a greater number of people to be supported.  

RESOLVED:

7.1         Cabinet agreed the proposed option, Option 1 detailed in 3.14, to commission IDVA, Family Support and MARAC coordinator services and for the contract spend to continue to deliver high level support services.

7.2         Cabinet agreed for the proposed Option 1 contract to be let for a term of three years, with a break option and the option to extend for a two year period after the initial term of three years.

7.3         Cabinet agreed to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the lead member and the Strategic Director of Children and Young People, to approve the award of the contract to the successful tenderer; following the procurement process to ensure timely service implementation.