URL: https://democracy.ipswich.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1315

Decision Maker: Officer Decision

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Council has statutory duties to accommodate some groups of homeless people under S188 Housing Act 1996 in temporary accommodation.   The Council is experiencing high demand for homelessness services and has insufficient capacity to accommodate homeless people within the existing arrangements.   There is a limited supply of suitable accommodation to meet the Council’s statutory duties which can be made available to the Council from local providers. Suitable additional temporary accommodation was sourced at Ipswich Best Western hotel in Copdock on a 12-week contract. This period was extended by a further 12 weeks to meet exceptional temporary accommodation provision.   There is a continued high demand for temporary accommodation and a lack of providers of this type of accommodation for homeless households.

Content: The Council has statutory duties to accommodate some groups of homeless people under S188 Housing Act 1996 in temporary accommodation.   The Council is experiencing high demand for homelessness services and has insufficient capacity to accommodate homeless people within the existing arrangements.   There is a limited supply of suitable accommodation to meet the Council’s statutory duties which can be made available to the Council from local providers. Suitable additional temporary accommodation was sourced at Ipswich Best Western hotel in Copdock on a 12-week contract. This period was extended by a further 12 weeks to meet exceptional temporary accommodation provision.   There is a continued high demand for temporary accommodation and a lack of providers of this type of accommodation for homeless households. To waive the market testing requirement of Contract Standing Orders under paragraph 3.10.2 due to the urgency and the lack of providers of this type of accommodation for homeless households.   To award a contract extension to Cameron Adventures, Ipswich Best Western hotel in Copdock, to provide accommodation from 17th October 2024 to 31st March 2025 at a total cost of £88,810.   Reason: To exempt from the requirements within Contract Standing Orders to undertake a competitive tendering process and directly award a contract is necessary as a matter of urgency and a delay would be likely to lead to an inability to provide a statutory service.

Date of Decision: October 18, 2024