Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Economic and Social Development introduced a report on the successful bid by the Council’s Community Solutions service to become part of Maximus UK’s supply chain to deliver the Work and Health Programme (WHP) in Barking and Dagenham.

The WHP was jointly funded by Department for Work and Pensions and the European Social Fund and Maximus UK had been appointed at a contracted provider following a tendering exercise on behalf of the Local London Partnership.  The WHP service provided employment support for a those in receipt of Employment Support Allowance, Job Seekers Allowance for more than two years, as well as some early entrants from disadvantaged groups e.g. ex-offenders, ex-armed forces or homeless persons, and the Cabinet Member remarked that, by joining the arrangement,, the Council would be reinforcing its commitment to the “No One Left Behind” principle. 

It was noted that discussions were ongoing with Maximus UK regarding the detailed arrangements for the new service which would run from April 2018 to March 2023 and, subject to performance, was predicted to generate up to £1.4m income to fund the Job Shop Service within Community Solutions.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council enters into a contract with Maximus UK to deliver the Work and Health Programme service in the Borough, in accordance with the Council’s Contract Rules and the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Strategic Director for Service Development and Integration, in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance, to enter into the contract and all other necessary or ancillary agreements with Maximus UK to effect the arrangements.