Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Executive Director – Children’s Services, that requested a waiver in compliance with Procurement Standing Order 1.14.4 iv of part 3.1 and 3.2 of Procurement Standing Orders to allow the continuation of a contract with Career Connect to deliver, on behalf of the Council, the provision of services to encourage, enable and assist young people to participate in education, employment and training, for a period of four years.

          It was noted that since the introduction of the Halton Participation Strategy in 2014, Career Connect had been commissioned to provide a service in 2014, 2018 and 2022. Since the initial contract in April 2014, and through all subsequent contracts, Career Connect had performed well against agreed outcomes, supported Halton to meet its statutory duties and they worked well with the 16+ Education to Employment Team. Given the value-added benefits outlined in the report and the changes to procurement regulations, approval was sought to continue with the contract with Career Connect from 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2030.

          RESOLVED: The Board approve that the contract with Career Connect should be extended for a further four years without going through a Procurement process, in pursuance of Procurement Standing Order 1.14.4 (non-emergency procedures – exceeding a value threshold of £100,000), seeking to waive part 3.1 and 3.2 of Procurement Standing Orders, as advised by Procurement Team.