Agenda item

9.1

The Business Change Manager introduced the report which sought approval for officers to undertake a procurement exercise for up to 150 hotel and B & B bed spaces for a period of two years. These bed spaces will be used for interim and temporary accommodation for customers experiencing homelessness who are eligible as defined in the Housing Act and statutory instruments. This proposal does not seek to increase our overall usage of hotel and B & B bed spaces but concerns how SCC sources and pays for hotel and B & B bed spaces. A procurement exercise will allow SCC to better manage costs associated with hotel and B & B accommodation by having agreed nightly rates. Officer time will also be saved which will mean resources can be better utilised in the Housing Options and Advice service.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Authorise officers to conduct a procurement exercise to block book up to 150 hotel/B & B beds for a two year period, with an option to reduce the number of beds by up to 100 in Year 2; and

2.     Appoint the preferred bidder, following that exercise.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

For the reasons outlined in Section 2 officers recommend the committee to endorse the recommendation to undertake a procurement exercise to block book up to 150 hotel/B & B bed spaces for the next two years.

9.3.2

Undertaking the procurement exercise will realise the following outcomes - Provide a ready source of hotel and B & B accommodation which will realise savings in officer time compared to the current spot booking approach. Officer resources can then be redirected to other work within the service. - Realise more stable and predictable costs for hotel and B & B accommodation compared to the current approach. This will mean budget forecasting and management of spend on temporary accommodation can be improved.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

There are no other viable alternative options, to continue spot booking hotel and B & B accommodation would not represent value for money for SCC.

9.1

The Business Change Manager introduced the report which sought approval for officers to undertake a procurement exercise for up to 150 hotel and B & B bed spaces for a period of two years. These bed spaces will be used for interim and temporary accommodation for customers experiencing homelessness who are eligible as defined in the Housing Act and statutory instruments. This proposal does not seek to increase our overall usage of hotel and B & B bed spaces but concerns how SCC sources and pays for hotel and B & B bed spaces. A procurement exercise will allow SCC to better manage costs associated with hotel and B & B accommodation by having agreed nightly rates. Officer time will also be saved which will mean resources can be better utilised in the Housing Options and Advice service.

9.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-

1.     Authorise officers to conduct a procurement exercise to block book up to 150 hotel/B & B beds for a two year period, with an option to reduce the number of beds by up to 100 in Year 2; and

2.     Appoint the preferred bidder, following that exercise.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

For the reasons outlined in Section 2 officers recommend the committee to endorse the recommendation to undertake a procurement exercise to block book up to 150 hotel/B & B bed spaces for the next two years.

9.3.2

Undertaking the procurement exercise will realise the following outcomes - Provide a ready source of hotel and B & B accommodation which will realise savings in officer time compared to the current spot booking approach. Officer resources can then be redirected to other work within the service. - Realise more stable and predictable costs for hotel and B & B accommodation compared to the current approach. This will mean budget forecasting and management of spend on temporary accommodation can be improved.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

There are no other viable alternative options, to continue spot booking hotel and B & B accommodation would not represent value for money for SCC.