To approve the recommissioning of domestic abuse services, via a competitive tendering process, commencing in April 2024.

That:

a) Approval is given for the re-commissioning of domestic abuse services commencing in April 2024.

b) That delegated authority is given to the Corporate Director, Community Wellbeing to approve contract award, any changes to the commissioning process and subsequent operational management of contracts for their duration, including the option to extend.

1. Not to commission support services for victims of domestic abuse. This is not recommended. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 introduced a range of new duties for councils. The Government has supplied new burdens funding to support council’s to deliver the new duties which include establishing a domestic abuse local partnership board, assessing need, developing a domestic abuse strategy and ensuring that victims and their children are able to access safe accommodation with support.

2. To award all of the funding to a single provider via a direct award. This is not recommended as it is not in line with the council’s contract procedure rules. The combined value of the tender opportunities is above the relevant UK threshold. Contracts with a value in excess of the relevant UK threshold must be let in accordance with the relevant procurement legislation. Formal tender documents must be used and the entire process of advertising, selecting suppliers to tender, through to final award, is highly prescribed under UK law for all procurements over the relevant threshold.

3. To deliver the domestic abuse service within the council. This option is not recommended. Providing services for domestic abuse victim-survivors safely requires specialist knowledge and expertise, plus access to the national refuge network, intelligence systems and data sharing with key partners, all of which exist through the commissioned provider. At present, the council does not have existing expertise or capacity to deliver the services in-house.