Archived decisions
Pr |
Commissioning strategy for support and training services to childcare providers from 2008/9 to 2010/11 | |
Contact: Tracey Sanders, 01962 813872, [email protected]
Tracey Messer, 01962 813887, [email protected]
1. Summary
1.1 This report seeks approval from the Executive Member for Children and Families for the Early Education and Childcare Unit (EECU) to implement a three year commissioning strategy for support services and training services to childcare providers from 2008-09 to 2010-11.
1.2 It also requests approval for the negotiation of an extension, by up to 12 months, and variation of current contracts for childcare support and training services, which end 31 March 2008.
2. Reason
2.1 The implementation of the three year commissioning strategy will ensure that EECU contracts specifies work that meets the requirements of the Childcare Act, dovetails with other elements of service delivery, is part of a joint commissioning approach and falls within budget. The suggested approval and timescales ensure that Hampshire County Council (HCC) follows contract standing orders. Support services and training services commissioned by HCC will enable organisations delivering early education and childcare to improve all Every Child Matters outcomes for children and, thereby, the services will work towards the first two priorities of Hampshire County Council, i.e. Hampshire safer and more secure for all and maximising well-being.
2.2 The extension of current contracts will allow a review of the requirements for the commissioned support services and training services to take place. It will also enable contract service specifications to be reconfigured to take account of funding for 2008-2011, legislative changes, and the early years development and childcare's new strategic plan. The extension will allow for market testing so that contracts are tendered at the correct value. The time gained through the extension will allow to raise market interest to be generated which currently does not exist for the childcare support services and which will also ensure best value. Negotiating extensions and variations of the current support contracts will allow these services to fall within budget and to deliver towards the new strategic plan.
3. Other Options considered and rejected:
3.1 The following other options have been considered:
1) Rolling over/renewing the current contracts and agreements without change
2) Going out to tender for the support services and training services in April 2008
3.2 Two major, high risks have been identified for these options:
Risk |
Likelihood |
Impact |
Overall assessment |
Mitigation |
Strategic Plan for EECU for 2008-11 not in place: wrong services might be commissioned |
High |
High |
High |
Wait until plan in place or in draft |
Sure Start grant for 2008-11 not yet confirmed (only indicative budget information received) |
Medium |
High |
Medium to High |
Wait until General; Sure Start Grant is confirmed (winter 2007/spring 2008) |
3.3 Option 1: would also not follow Hampshire County Council's contract standing orders. With Option 2: there would be a risk that European Union's contract rules cannot be followed.
3.4. Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive member consulted - none (unless declared).
3.5. Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - none (unless granted).
3.6. Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - none (unless statutory or Constitutional definition met).
Approved by: .............................(signature)
Councillor Patricia Banks
Executive Member for Children and Families
Date: 11 October 2007