Decision details

To jointly enter into a Gloucestershire county wide contract with Safe Partnership Limited for 3 years to provide a range of additional security measures for maintaining victim safety at home known as Target Hardening and the provision of Sanctuary Scheme measures.

To enter into the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Services Framework 2018-2023 to procure Domestic Abuse support services as appropriate.

The aim of the Target Hardening and Sanctuary service is to prevent homelessness and keep victims and their children safe in their own home and protect them from further harm whilst also promoting safety and well-being for victims of domestic abuse and their children.

This service comprises the provision of a range of additional security measures for maintaining victim safety at home. This includes Target Hardening which is the provision and installation of security devices which can be fitted readily to buildings without major adaption and Sanctuary provision which involves more extensive fitment of security measures with the main feature of a full sanctuary scheme being the creation of a ‘sanctuary room’ which is a safe place where victims can call and await the arrival of the police.

This service is a county wide service and is a joint partnership between Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Gloucestershire County Council (on behalf of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Cheltenham Borough Council gives Authorised Signatories at One Legal authority to execute the contract which is for £40,000 per annum (across the partnership) on a 3 year contract which commenced on the 1st August 2021- continual service delivery provided by Safe Partnership has been in place since this time.

Cheltenham Borough Council are delegating this function to Cheltenham Borough Homes who will be the managing agent providing this service on the Councils behalf.

Cheltenham Borough Homes annual contribution is £5,440 a year per annum (£16,320 over the 3-year period) which is paid out of the homeless prevention budget that Cheltenham Borough Homes receive from Cheltenham Borough Council.

Procurement was carried out through lot 2 of the Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse Support Services Framework 2018-2023 which is a joint commissioning framework. The Framework is divided into six specialists themed lots which include:

•           Lot 1: Core Service for Victims 16+

•           Lot 2: Provision of Places of Safety,

•           Lot 3: Addressing Perpetrator Behaviour

•           Lot 4: Young People,

•           Lot 5: Early Identification and Workforce Development,

•           Lot 6: Stalking.

Using the Framework supports the DASV (Gloucestershire Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence) core group’s agreed intention to jointly commission, gather provider intelligence, align and monitor investment for Domestic Abuse services and is in line with the DASV Commissioning Strategy and Outcomes Framework.

No viable alternative options available

As above

Consultation was carried out with the Housing Options Team at Cheltenham Borough Homes who the managing agent providing this service on the Councils behalf.

In addition key partners who make up the joint partnership including the district councils across Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner were also consulted on the procurement of the new contract.

The decision was also discussed with the cabinet member for housing – Cllr Mike Collins.