The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report seeking approval to enter into the Berkshire Sensory Consortium Services Joint Agreement Contract for the planning and commissioning of services to support children and young people with a SEND diagnosis at a regional level as required under the Children & Families Act 2014. 

The report explained that the Council had historically provided this service through a jointly commissioned contract delivered by the Berkshire Sensory Services Consortium.  The requirement for regional commissioning meant the local authority must be party to the subsequent contract, so whilst Brighter Futures for Children could manage the services on the Council’s behalf, the Council itself had to sign the contract and it could not be novated to Brighter Futures for Children as has been the case for the majority of contracts for Children’s Services.

The report sought approval to enter into the Berkshire Sensory Consortium Services Joint Agreement Contract for an initial term of three years, from 2021 to 2024, and to authorise the Assistant Director of Procurement & Contracts in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Education to agree any subsequent extensions taking the contract up to five years in total. The report also requested authority to create a Shared Services Working Agreement between all Berkshire Unitary Authorities to regularise the current informal shared service arrangement.

Resolved –

(1)      That the award and completion of the Berkshire Sensory Services Consortium Joint Agreement and contract for 2021 to 2024 be agreed, and that the Assistant Director of Procurement & Contracts, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Education, be authorised to activate extensions to 2026;

(2)      That the Assistant Director of Procurement & Contracts, in consultation with the Lead Councillor for Corporate and Consumer Services, the Lead Councillor for Education and the Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services, be authorised to create a Shared Services Working Agreement between all Berkshire Unitary Authorities to regularise the current informal Berkshire Sensory Consortium shared service arrangement.