Decision details

In light of recent developments relating to the funding announcement from Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), Oldham Council is poised to further its commitment to the A Bed Every Night initiative in collaboration with the GMCA.

On the 27th of March 2025, the council received confirmation of £391,248 funding from GMCA, enabling the ABEN Service to extend its reach until the 30th of September 2029, encompassing an additional four bedspaces.

RESOLVED - That:
1. To authorise an exemption under rule 21 of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) in respect of the procurement procedures which must be followed under rule 4 of the CPRs, based on contract value.
2. To approve a direct award of a contract for the ABEN Phase 5 year 4, which would commence on the 1st of April 2026 and expire on 30th September 2026. The total contract fee payable to DePaul would be £122,500 (VAT Exempt).
3. It is noted that the funding award will cover a 2.5 year period.
4. That the current contract be extended for an additional 6 months to allow sufficient time to complete full procurement activities.

Option 1 - To approve an exemption in respect of rule 4 of the Contract Procurement Rules by utilising rule 21 of the CPRs, and
Option 2: Do not approve the proposed exemption under rule 21 of the CPRs, end the external delivery of the ABEN Service and deliver the service in-house.
Option 3: Do Nothing. Ceasing to deliver ABEN would cause reputational damage to the Council and increase rough sleeping in the Borough, which would also go against the Council’s own Ending Rough Sleeping Plan and directives from MHCLG.
.

Options 2 and 3

None