UK Public Sector Contracts & Tenders

The Breastfeeding Peer Support Service will be a community based service of breastfeeding support offering both in person and virtual support to families within the borough. The primary aim of the proposed service will be to increase the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding at 6-8 weeks after birth, and beyond. The service will consist of local volunteer and paid peer supporters that will be expected to deliver one-to-one support, group sessions, maternity ward visits and phone line support. The service will be expected to refer and signpost to local services and work within the early years system in Islington. The proposed Breastfeeding Peer Support Service makes a substantial contribution to a number of ambitions and priorities in the Islington Together 2030 plan, including ‘Child Friendly Islington, Greener Healthier Islington , Empowering People and Community Wealth Building’. The service will be expected to be delivered by one provider covering the whole borough. The Authority may receive additional grant funding during the contract term which could support the delivery of additional services directly related to the contract subject matter. Any such funding is not guaranteed.

The London Borough of Islington is preparing to procure a number of appropriately accredited contractors to deliver responsive repairs, maintenance, and servicing works to respond to and rectify any breakdown in or malfunction of any part of lift equipment in the Council’s lift stock. The Council has 426 passenger lifts within the housing stock and 52 passenger lifts within public buildings. The Council is considering a range of contract packaging options, including a multi-lot arrangement covering Housing and Non-Housing lift assets. One option under consideration is the appointment of multiple contractors with defined lot responsibilities, supported by resilience arrangements that may require contractors to provide mutual support during periods of exceptional demand, supplier failure, poor performance, or emergency situations. Feedback on the viability of such arrangements is welcomed through this engagement exercise.

Provision of supported transport for SEND children, vulnerable adults and other eligible residents, including passenger assistance where required. The service enables access to education, care and community services through a range of transport solutions including taxis, accessible vehicles, minibuses and attendants, with a focus on safety, safeguarding, accessibility and value for money.

Islington Council’s care home (block) contracts are approaching expiry. The Council is hoping to engage providers on the future of care home services in Islington. This engagement is not related to a specific contract or service at this stage.

The Council is a landlord to tenants living in homes located across the borough. The Council has let an average of 900 properties per year, over the last two years. Demand for social housing within the borough is extremely high. It is essential that void properties are reserviced to a high-quality standard and in a timely manner, to enable the efficient letting of vacant homes within the borough. Voids reservicing and refurbishment involves preparing vacant properties for new tenants. Voids may arise due to formal termination of a tenancy, abandonment of a tenancy, transfer of a tenancy, evictions, or a tenant’s death. Service delivery will also include void reservicing and refurbishment for properties used for temporary accommodation. This includes Buy-Backs (where the Council repurchases homes previously sold under ‘Right to Buy’), General Needs Temporary Accommodation (GNTA), and other temporary accommodation projects (e.g. Afghan Refugee Project, Rough Sleepers). The council is required to provide white goods and furnishings for void properties that fall under these schemes, therefore the contract will also extend to cover such. The scope of works under the contracts are divided into four categories: Basic Voids, Standard Voids, Standard Plus Voids, and Major Works Voids. Works categorised under Basic Voids include simple refurbishment (painting & decorating, minor repairs etc), and are completed and made tenantable within a 10-day period. Works categorised under Standard Voids include but is not limited to, clearing property of any furniture/household items that are no longer useful, asbestos surveys, electrical and gas testing, heating system renewals, and carrying out any required repairs and to ensure the property can be let, and is ready for new tenants. Standard Plus Voids include the same reservicing and refurbishment as all Standard Voids, but also includes works such as kitchen or bathroom replacements, and asbestos removal works. Major Works Voids are properties that may have had a complex repairs history, and/or had issues involving damp and ongoing leaks, and will require a full refurbishment to bring the property up to a lettable standard. This includes kitchen and bathroom replacement, and structural repair works such as full replastering. The Council is preparing to procure four (4) contractors to deliver its void service requirements. In line with the Council’s objectives, the Council is committed to reducing barriers to entry and encouraging a diverse and competitive marketplace. As such, the Council welcomes feedback from organisations of sizes, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and local suppliers. The estimated value of the proposed contract has not yet been finalised. However, based on current projections and anticipated service requirements, the total contract value over the maximum proposed term of four (4) years is anticipated to be in excess of £30 million.