URL: https://sthelens.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=187

Decision Maker: Council Leader

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The provision of supported housing is a key component in meeting housing needs in the borough, – providing accommodation for residents at a time of crisis or in response to a challenging period such as experiencing homelessness. The Council provides specific funding for the provision of housing support and it is essential that this funding is awarded to experienced providers who understand local needs and can offer much needed assistance to residents within the current challenging housing landscape. This proposal seeks approval to re-engage both the St Helens YMCA and Torus as providers of two key services for the borough - hostel and refuge provision. The attached report – which would have been presented to Cabinet on 21 May 2025 - outlines the activity that has taken place to ensure that these services reflect local needs, offer value for money and deliver effective outcomes for our residents.      

Content: The provision of supported housing is a key component in meeting housing needs in the borough, – providing accommodation for residents at a time of crisis or in response to a challenging period such as experiencing homelessness. The Council provides specific funding for the provision of housing support and it is essential that this funding is awarded to experienced providers who understand local needs and can offer much needed assistance to residents within the current challenging housing landscape. This proposal seeks approval to re-engage both the St Helens YMCA and Torus as providers of two key services for the borough - hostel and refuge provision. The attached report – which would have been presented to Cabinet on 21 May 2025 - outlines the activity that has taken place to ensure that these services reflect local needs, offer value for money and deliver effective outcomes for our residents.       To seek approval from the Leader of the Council for the following recommendations:   (i)             Approve the award of a contract for the provision of housing related support services to St Helens YMCA for a period from 1 June 2025 to 31 March 2027,   (ii)            Approve the award of a contract to Torus for the provision of a Refuge for a period from 1 June 2025 to 31 March 2027,   (iii)           Delegate authority to the Executive Director Place Services (in consultation with the Director of Legal & Governance and Director of Finance) to execute all contract documentation pursuant to recommendations 1 and 2 above.   Proposal relates to the award of contracts from 1 June 2025 for the delivery of accommodation-based support services. Cancellation of 21 May Cabinet where this would have been approved now necessitates an Urgent Leader’s Decision as next Cabinet does not take place until 18 June 2025. The alternative option to undertake a full market tender for the provision of support at these services was considered as part of the Supported Housing Review completed by Housing LIN. A further alternative option would be to allow the contracts to cease. This would result in a loss of funding for the provision of direct staffing into these services and would make continuity of service impossible and would therefore result in the closure of two hostels with the subsequent loss of 80 bed spaces in the borough.

Date of Decision: May 16, 2025