Decision details

This report seeks approval to procure a provider for the management of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) sites across North Yorkshire.
This procurement will appoint a provider to:
•Manage North Yorkshire Council’s GRT sites.
•Deliver integrated domestic abuse support.
The provider will be responsible for:
•Day-to-day site management and operational staffing.
•Delivering IDVA/ISVA-standard domestic abuse support.
•Providing group sessions, parenting support, and educational activities.
•Supporting a “Whole Family Approach” to improve outcomes for victims and children.
The domestic abuse support element is grant funded and subject to future funding availability.
The current contract with Horton Housing is due to expire. A new procurement is required to ensure continuity of service and compliance with procurement regulations. The service is essential to support vulnerable residents and maintain safe, well-managed sites.
The provider will collect rent directly from residents and manage tenancy agreements. They will also manage utility contracts, sub-metering, and recharges to tenants, ensuring accurate billing and payment to suppliers.
The domestic abuse support element is funded through an annual grant of £50,000. However, this funding is not guaranteed for the full contract term and is subject to annual confirmation.
The contract will run for an initial period of two years, with the option to extend for up to two additional one-year periods, subject to performance and funding availability.

To approve the procurement of a single supplier contract to deliver Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) site management services, including associated domestic abuse support, and agreement to enter into a contract, in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules, for the management of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites across North Yorkshire.

The decision is required to ensure consistent, safe and effective management of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller sites across North Yorkshire, including the provision of appropriate domestic abuse support. Procuring a single supplier contract will provide clarity of accountability, improve service resilience, support safeguarding arrangements, and deliver value for money, while ensuring compliance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules and relevant statutory duties.

Alternative options considered and rejected included continuing with multiple providers or disparate local arrangements and bringing the service in house. These options were rejected due to increased complexity, reduced consistency across sites, higher management and commissioning overheads, greater risk to safeguarding and service resilience, and poorer value for money. A single supplier contract was assessed as the most effective way to ensure consistent standards, clear accountability, and a sustainable service model across North Yorkshire