Issue - meetings

AGREED RECOMMENDATIONS

Reasons for decision –  to create the best option for establishing the new Young Islington model for universal youth work, engage smaller local providers as well as specific expertise, maximise additional income to support the offer, and safeguard services
Other options considered – as specified in the report, other options considered included management and delivery in-house; commissioning via single contract; and separating services into separate lots.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the procurement strategy for the delivery of Young Islington be approved as outlined in the report. 

(ii)           That authority to award the various lots comprising the contract for the delivery of Young Islington, and the contract for the management and operation of the Andover youth site, be delegated to the Corporate Director of People following consultation with the Executive Member for Children, Young People and Families.

(iii)          It be noted that, in accordance with the Financial Regulations, the Corporate Director of Resources will grant leases of Lift, Platform and Rose Bowl to the successful tenderer/s at a peppercorn rent for the duration of the contracts.

(iv)          That an increase in the universal youth service budget by £500k from 2021/22 (ongoing) to meet increased ongoing costs of the revised youth offer be agreed.  This increased budget reflects the increase in youth service provision in respect of enhanced detached youth work, the new Andover youth site and commissioning resource for the new locality networks.

(v)           That this increased budget will be managed through the annual budget setting process and the increase will need to be found from savings in other services be noted. 

(vi)          That the budget proposals rely on assumed commercial income to be generated by the chosen contractor depending on the content of its tender and business plan be noted. Given the uncertainty caused by Covid-19 it is unclear whether the required income can be generated in practice to support the youth offer. This has the potential to increase cost for the Council or the Council may ultimately have to reduce youth service provision in line with the funding envelope.

(vii)        That due to Covid-19 further market assessments will be undertaken prior to procurement be noted. These will cover soft market testing and a professional assessment of income generation potential across Lift, Platform and Rose Bowl. If these assessments suggests that there is likely to be a significant shortfall in income to support service provision, a further report will be brought back to Members to consider the overall cost implications. 

(viii)       That a short term budget provision of £285k has already been agreed to mitigate commercial income loss for the existing provider during the period 1 April to 31 October 2021 be noted. The cost of any further mitigation during 2021/22 would need to be found from additional Covid19 government grant should it be available.

Reasons for decision –  to create the best option for establishing the new Young Islington model for universal youth work, engage smaller local providers as well as specific expertise, maximise additional income to support the offer, and safeguard services
Other options considered – as specified in the report, other options considered included management and delivery in-house; commissioning via single contract; and separating services into separate lots.

Conflicts of interest / dispensations granted – none