Issue - meetings

This report concerns the commissioning of school places for secondary students with Statements of Special Educational Need (SEN) for autistic spectrum disorders, (ASD) at Centre Academy, an independent day special school in Wandsworth.

(i)         that approval be given to an exemption from the usual tendering requirement of Contract Standing Orders to allow the award of a contract to Centre Academy from 1 April 2013 to 31 August 2015;

(ii)        that authority be delegated to the Director of Children and Families  to conclude negotiations with Centre Academy and award the proposed two years and one term block contract on the basis of the rates outlined in this report and agreed in principle with Centre Academy. 

The report from the Director of Children and Families concerned the commissioning of school places for secondary students with Statements of Special Educational Need for autistic spectrum disorders at Centre Academy, an independent day special school in Wandsworth. It outlined the current ‘spot’ purchase arrangements and sought an exemption from tendering in accordance with paragraph 84(a) of Standing Orders to allow a two year and one term contract to be awarded to Centre Academy for 15 places with an anticipated commencement date from 1 April 2013. The term of the contract would allow significant savings to be realised whilst also allowing officers time to assess longer-term strategic and procurement options aimed at ensuring that competitive, quality provision was sustained. 

Councillor Arnold (Lead Member, Children and Families) outlined the current costs of commissioning ASD special school places on a spot purchase basis which would be substantially reduced under the proposed arrangements. Additionally, the Centre Academy had agreed to freeze the agreed rates for the life of the contract. It was noted that costs would fall within the Schools Budget funded via the ring-fenced Dedicated Schools Grant.

The Executive also had before them an appendix to the report which was not for publication as it contained the following category of exempt information as specified in Schedule 12 of the Local Government (Access to Information Act) 1972: 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 an exemption from the usual tendering requirement of Contract Standing Orders to allow the award of a contract to Centre Academy from 1 April 2013 to 31 August 2015;

(ii)        that authority be delegated to the Director of Children and Families  to conclude negotiations with Centre Academy and award the proposed two years and one term block contract on the basis of the rates outlined in this report and agreed in principle with Centre Academy.