Issue - meetings

(Paragraph 3 – information relating to financial/business affairs of particular person)

Purpose:  to seek approval to publish a Voluntary Ex ante Transparency Notice (“VEAT notice”), notifying the market of the Council’s intention to directly award a 3 + 2 year contract to enable bespoke Social, Emotional and Mental Health (“SEMH”) provision for complex learners with Education Health and Care Plans (“EHCP’s”) and to seek approval to enter into such a contract with an identified Provider, subject to no challenges being received.

(Paragraph 3 – information relating to the financial/business affairs of a particular person)

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 18), which sought approval to publish a Voluntary Ex ante Transparency Notice, notifying the market of the Council’s intention to directly award a 3 + 2 year contract to enable bespoke Social, Emotional and Mental Health provision for complex learners with Education Health and Care Plans and sought approval to enter into such a contract with an identified Provider, subject to no challenges being received.

RESOLVED that: the recommendations in the exempt report be agreed.

Other options considered:

·         Do nothing – the existing contract will end on 31 August 2025 and there would be no ongoing services. This is not viable or recommended.

·         Direct Award – a 3 + 2 year contract term following use of a VEAT notice for transparency. This route would ensure a contract is in place to ensure the needs of our most complex students are met.

·         Framework – Provider’s for these types of Services are not currently on any procurement frameworks and therefore this route is not an option.

·         Open tender exercise – due to the very bespoke nature of the provision, the Service do not anticipate that this would result in any bids. This was confirmed by the PIN notice. This option would require a significant amount of time and resource and would leave the council at risk in the interim with no contract in place.