Decision details

To enter into contract with the successful supplier (jointly, along with our commissioning partners, details of which are set out below) to provide a range of additional security measures for maintaining victim safety at home, otherwise known as Target Hardening and Sanctuary Scheme measures. This contract will be for a period of three years from 01 April 2026 to 31 March 2029, with options to extend the contract annually thereafter, up to 31 March 2033, subject to relevant approvals and available finance.

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

This will be achieved through the provision of a range of additional security measures, ranging from the installation of security devices which can be fitted readily to buildings without major adaption, through to Sanctuary provision. The latter is a more extensive fitment of security measures which can include a ‘sanctuary room’ to provide a safe place where victims can call and await the arrival of the police.

Gloucester City Council has led on the commissioning of this service via the county-wide Partnership Team. Cheltenham Borough Council will enter into contract with the successful supplier alongside: Cotswold District Council, Forest of Dean District Council, Gloucester City Council, Stroud District Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (as part of Gloucestershire County Council) and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC).

Aside from an annual contribution from the OPCC, the funding for this contract operates as a ‘pay as you go’ service to meet the demand for the scheme. Each district authority will be responsible for ordering and paying for the services directly. Having reviewed costs incurred so far for 2025/26 and for 2024/25, we anticipate the council’s costs to be around £25,000/year. These costs will be met from the council’s Homelessness Prevention Grant Funding allocation. This is funding which the council receives each year from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to support the delivery of initiatives such as this.