Decision Details

This report seeks Cabinet approval to procure a range of commissioned services using the Council’s allocation of the ringfenced Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant for the financial years 2026-29, totalling £5,232,146, of which £4,980,196 is specifically designated for homelessness and rough sleeping activity.

The Government’s new cross government Strategy, “A National Plan to End Homelessness,” sets out a shift toward prevention first, holistic, multiyear planning, and integrated homelessness and rough sleeping services. Local authorities are expected to design services holistically, prioritising prevention, early intervention, and reducing dependency on crisis-led responses.

 Cabinet approval is required to procure external delivery providers to support statutory duties, strengthen early intervention capacity, and enable delivery of key services including the Safe to Stay Hub and Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) beds.

Option 1 – Do Nothing.

This would put the Council at risk of legal challenge and would breach statutory requirements under the Procurement Act 2023. If the Council does not have access to specialists’ services and additional ‘off the street’ accommodation, this will increase rough sleeping and homelessness.

The Council will be subject to additional financial pressures to ensure applicants can be made an offer of accommodation and support by accessing alternative emergency provision such as Nightly Let or B&B.

 In addition, if the funding is not used for its intended purpose and committed in time to deliver these services this may result on grant clawback. Reputational damage is also likely if embedded services cannot continue.

b. Option 2 – To approve.

 By approving the recommendations, the Council will be able to align with MHCLG expectations for prevention-focused and holistic service models. Commissioned services will deliver multi-year stability and improve outcomes for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping. It will also ensure that the Council’s statutory duties are met and funding can be ringfenced for this purpose.

That Cabinet

1. Approved the procurement of homelessness and rough sleeping services funded through the Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant allocation for 2026–2029.

2. Delegated authority be given to the Head of Housing in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, to enter into contracts within the approved budget envelope, following a compliant procurement process in line with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and Procurement Act 2023.