Decision details

The Cabinet Member for Housing Services presented a report regarding the re-procurement of the Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 (CAS3), a service supporting individuals leaving prison custody, providing supported accommodation and independent living skills, helping to break cycles of homelessness and reoffending.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that the Council worked with Prevention to carry out a full risk assessment for individuals coming out of prison to identify the best placements and ensure they had the safest place based on their individual circumstances. Members were advised that homeless properties wouldn’t normally be advertised owing to safeguarding concerns, but any properties requiring a planning class change would have the appropriate planning records and permissions. It was noted that a proportional breakdown of contributing factors in the rise in homelessness would be provided to Members outside the meeting.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1. Authorised Bury Council to initiate a tender exercise via The Chest to identify a provider to deliver the Community Accommodation Service Tier 3 , in line with the requirements set out in the grant agreement with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, with an initial term of 14 months of total estimated contract value (for the initial term) of £430,596, and option to extend for a further 6 months; and
2. Authorised the Director of Housing to approve the award of the new contract without the need for further approval from Cabinet.

Reasons for the decision:

There has been a significant increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness. This cohort includes individuals leaving prison custody, who often face additional barriers to securing and maintaining stable accommodation. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (“MHCLG”) has recently set out outcome measures for local authorities as part of its updated strategy, including an ambitious objective to ensure that no individual leaves an institution into homelessness.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

• These properties will deliver emergency accommodation preventing individuals leaving custody homeless and rough sleeping. If this option is not pursued, the council will be unlikely to achieve a reduction in rough sleeping, which conflicts with our local, regional, and national homelessness strategies. We would also fail in delivering this joint commissioned programme. This would present a risk of reputational damage and a failure to meet our corporate responsibilities.
• CAS3 is joint commissioned programme between the GMCA and MoJ and has been delivered by the local authorities since 2022. The programme continues to build on its success year on year and remains a key resource in preventing, breaking cycles of homelessness and reducing re-offending. Due to current capacity constraints within the service, the ongoing challenges in securing suitable accommodation to support delivery, and its status as an externally grant-funded programme with a fixed cost envelope CAS3 is most effectively delivered by an external provider.