Decision details

A plan to deliver A Bed Every Night (ABEN) Phase 3 was agreed at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) meeting on 29th May 2020.
This report outlines the total costs and plans for the project in Oldham, and seeks approvals to:
a)Extend the existing lease obtained to provide self-contained accommodation for rough sleepers during COVID for an additional 6 months;
b)Extend the existing lease at the HMO already being used within ABEN Phase 2 for an additional 9 months;
c)Publish a new tender for ABEN Phase 3 service delivery and staffing;
d)Publish a request for quotation for bespoke support for rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds.

RESOLVED - That:
Option 1 is agreed:
a)Extend the existing lease at the building secured at the start of COVID arrangements for an additional 6 months
b)Extend the existing lease at the Phase 2 HMO for an additional 9 months
c)Publish a tender for ABEN service delivery and staffing
d)exercise in (c) is progressed
e)Publish a request for quotation for bespoke support for rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds

Option 1 - Option 1 (Recommended):
a)Extend the existing lease at the building secured at the start of COVID arrangements for an additional 6 months: the existing lease is for 12 months with a break clause,
b)Extend the existing lease at the Phase 2 HMO for an additional 9 months:
c)Publish a tender for ABEN service delivery and staffing: the grant value means the current delivery contract cannot just be extended. The Council does not have the staffing capacity or expertise to deliver this in-house by 1st July, so it is recommended that an external supplier is sought. The cost of the staffing with be fully funded by the GMCA ABEN Phase 3 grant.
d)Publish a request for quotation for bespoke support for rough sleepers with no recourse to public funds: this area of work requires specialist expertise which is not available within the Council at present, so it is recommended that an external supplier is sought. The cost of this will be fully funded by the GMCA NRPF grant.
Option 2 (Not recommended):
a)Deliver all services in-house, including buildings and staffing: The Council does not have a suitable building of the size and style required to deliver ABEN Phase 3 which is available for 1st July 2020. Additionally, moving residents from the current premises would present disruption for residents. The Council also does not have the staffing or management capacity in place within existing services to deliver ABEN Phase 3 directly, and recruitment processes are unlikely to be completed by 1st July 2020.
Option 3 (Not recommended):
a)Contract the buildings and service staffing out as a package: The issues of disruption for current residents would still apply to this option. Additionally, this option presents risk in terms of a suitable provider being found who can provide accommodation meeting the ABEN specification. Given the shortage of large blocks of self-contained accommodation in Oldham it is unlikely the specification will be achieved through this option.

Option 2 (Not recommended):
a)Deliver all services in-house, including buildings and staffing: The Council does not have a suitable building of the size and style required to deliver ABEN Phase 3 which is available for 1st July 2020. Additionally, moving residents from the current premises would present disruption for residents. The Council also does not have the staffing or management capacity in place within existing services to deliver ABEN Phase 3 directly, and recruitment processes are unlikely to be completed by 1st July 2020.
Option 3 (Not recommended):
a)Contract the buildings and service staffing out as a package: The issues of disruption for current residents would still apply to this option. Additionally, this option presents risk in terms of a suitable provider being found who can provide accommodation meeting the ABEN specification. Given the shortage of large blocks of self-contained accommodation in Oldham it is unlikely the specification will be achieved through this option.

Cabinet Member has been briefed on ABEN Phase 3 and is supportive of the decision to move forward.