Agenda item

Commissioning Adult Learning in Community Settings

Report of the Executive Director, People Services.

Decision:

8.1

The Executive Director, People Services submitted a report outlining a proposal for the commissioning of a refreshed framework of adult learning activities across Sheffield.

 

 

8.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

 

 

 

(a)

approves the development and agreement of the procurement strategy for a refreshed framework of adult learning providers equipped to deliver accredited and non-accredited learning activity across the City, to include the necessary due diligence and quality checks; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

delegates authority to the Executive Director, People Services, in consultation with the Interim Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the Director of Legal and Governance to:

 

- commission the framework in accordance with the agreed procurement strategy;

 

- negotiate and agree terms of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) funding and complete all necessary documentation in relation to it and for its utilisation for the purpose of the provision of adult learning by the organisations on the framework for delivery in community settings for the academic year 2017/18; and

 

- negotiate and agree terms of the engagement with the adult learning providers on the framework and complete all necessary documentation on the commissioning for the framework.

 

 

 

8.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

8.3.1

The development of the revised new framework will enable the Council to effectively continue to meet its statutory duties with regard to the provision of adult learning in the City, as outlined in the report. It will provide for the Council to commission third party providers to deliver adult learning in their communities to a defined standard which meets the Council’s requirements.

 

 

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

8.4.1

In consultation with the Council’s Commercial Services, a waiver of Contract Standard Orders which would allow an extension of the current framework with existing suppliers was considered to be inappropriate for this service because the existing framework for the delivery of Adult Community Learning (ACL) was due to expire on 31 July 2017 and there was a requirement to re-procure the service in a way which was compliant with domestic and EU procurement legislation. Therefore, the development of a revised new framework was required.

 

 

8.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

 

 

 

None

 

 

8.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

8.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

 

 

 

Jayne Ludlam, Executive Director, People Services

 

 

8.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

 

 

 

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

 

Minutes:

8.1

The Executive Director, People Services submitted a report outlining a proposal for the commissioning of a refreshed framework of adult learning activities across Sheffield.

 

 

8.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

 

 

 

(a)

approves the development and agreement of the procurement strategy for a refreshed framework of adult learning providers equipped to deliver accredited and non-accredited learning activity across the City, to include the necessary due diligence and quality checks; and

 

 

 

 

(b)

delegates authority to the Executive Director, People Services, in consultation with the Interim Director of Finance and Commercial Services and the Director of Legal and Governance to:

 

- commission the framework in accordance with the agreed procurement strategy;

 

- negotiate and agree terms of the Adult Education Budget (AEB) funding and complete all necessary documentation in relation to it and for its utilisation for the purpose of the provision of adult learning by the organisations on the framework for delivery in community settings for the academic year 2017/18; and

 

- negotiate and agree terms of the engagement with the adult learning providers on the framework and complete all necessary documentation on the commissioning for the framework.

 

 

 

8.3

Reasons for Decision

 

 

8.3.1

The development of the revised new framework will enable the Council to effectively continue to meet its statutory duties with regard to the provision of adult learning in the City, as outlined in the report. It will provide for the Council to commission third party providers to deliver adult learning in their communities to a defined standard which meets the Council’s requirements.

 

 

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

8.4.1

In consultation with the Council’s Commercial Services, a waiver of Contract Standard Orders which would allow an extension of the current framework with existing suppliers was considered to be inappropriate for this service because the existing framework for the delivery of Adult Community Learning (ACL) was due to expire on 31 July 2017 and there was a requirement to re-procure the service in a way which was compliant with domestic and EU procurement legislation. Therefore, the development of a revised new framework was required.

 

 

 

Supporting documents: