Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement introduced a report on proposals for the procurement of a new, maximum four-year Social Infrastructure contract to support the on-going, effective engagement between the Council and the voluntary and community sector (VCSE), the various partner organisation within the VCSE and local residents, with the combined aim of working together to tackle the most pressing local issues.

The Cabinet Member advised that despite the significant financial pressure faced by the Council, it was fully recognised that continued funding should be allocated to the Social Infrastructure contract to support the vital role that the VCSE played in the Borough and the strength of the relationship between the Council and the VCSE.  The BD_Collective were commissioned to provide the original social infrastructure support service and had been responsible for introducing a range of new initiatives and networks that had proved invaluable in supporting the local community throughout, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic and the continuing cost-of-living crisis.  The successful tenderer would be expected to build on those foundations and continue to attract external funding to support local projects and programmes.

Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Agree that the Council proceeds with the procurement of a contract for a Social Infrastructure support service, in accordance with the strategy set out in the report; and

(ii)  Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Community Leadership and Engagement, the Strategic Director, Resources and the Head of Legal, to conduct the procurement and award and enter into the contract and all other necessary or ancillary agreements to fully implement and effect the proposals.