Decision details

The Cabinet Member: 

1.     Approved the continued delegation of authority to Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) to act as lead local authority in commissioning the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Floating Support Service across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire and for delivery of the function for this service to CCC, which shall include the associated transfer of funding to CCC for a five year period (includes two one year extension periods).  This delegation shall commence on the date the decision becomes effective. 

2.     The Council to enter into a delegation and partnering agreement with CCC for the duration of the delegated function. 

The recommendations in this report will ensure that the continuity of Floating Support to some of the most vulnerable in society is achieved whilst taking the opportunity to seek efficiency savings and address additional capacity in commissioning by tendering jointly across PCC and CCC. 

The value for money and outcomes delivered by this type of floating support are excellent. 

It is the model of support that both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have worked towards since 2018 and has worked well for both local authorities. 

The recommendation will allow the council to continue to benefit from access to the Floating Support Service but without having to duplicate efforts in relation to elements such as monitoring and contract performance.  

The Homelessness Act 2002 sets out the council’s powers to meet the aims of the act and its duties towards homeless people. 

Cut funding completely and stop the Floating Support. This was rejected due to the key outcomes required that support PCC’s statutory housing duty.

PCC to tender a single Floating Support contract and not collaborate across the two local authority areas.  This was rejected.  Adopting a joint commissioning approach created efficiencies for commissioners and procurement colleagues. The commissioning project ensured partners would achieve their respective service requirements and outcomes throughout the tendering process.  Joint commissioning allows the opportunity to consider whether savings can be achieved through a formal tendering process.

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