Decision details
Direct Award: Single Front Door for Volunteering
Decision Maker: Director of Public Health
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
The Director of Public Health has approved the direct award of a contract for a Single Front Door for Volunteering Service to Wirral CVS (charity number 1196584) to support volunteering within Wirral communities, commencing on 1st April 2025 for 12 months at a total value of £135,000.
Reasons for the decision:
Wirral CVS are contracted to deliver the current service until 31st March 2025 and there are no provisions available to extend the contract.
This service will continue to be funded via grant funding from the UK Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund awarded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and distributed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to the Council.
There have been some delays from the UK government to issue this grant which means that the Council doesn’t have sufficient time to commission the service via a competitive tendering route. However, it is essential that the service can continue to support the existing volunteers and there is no gap in service provision. The service encourages volunteering within Wirral, improve people’s health and wellbeing, enable more social connection, increases community spirit, and enhance people’s feelings of purpose and belonging.
The spend is below the Light Touch Regime threshold and complies with the Council contract procedure rules (12.4.1 Exceptions) which allows direct award to a provider where there is no satisfactory alternative available and (b) it would be in the interest of the Council, be lawful, and provide value for money.
Alternative options considered:
Options have been explored comprising of different financial models for investment and the option of not providing any additional investment. These options are not recommended as they would risk delivery of local strategic priorities and would not meet the requirements of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
A one year term is the only option that could be considered because the funding allocation is strictly for 25/26 only.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
The decision has been taken under Part 3 Section C - Overview and Scheme of Delegations of Authority to Officers as the decision is not reserved to a Committee or Sub-Committee and the Director is satisfied that paragraphs 2(a) to 2(c) apply.
Background Papers
Officer Decision Notice 12th October 2023
Decision - Contract Award: Single Front Door for Volunteering | Wirral Council
Officer Decision Notice 30th June 2023
Publication date: 08/04/2025
Date of decision: 31/03/2025