Attwells Solicitors
Proud supporters of free and independent local journalism in Ipswich
Rising homelessness in Ipswich has forced the council to spend £88,810 on emergency hotel accommodation. The contract extension at the Copdock Best Western comes as local housing services struggle with "insufficient capacity."
The big picture: Ipswich Borough Council is bypassing normal contract procedures to secure hotel rooms for homeless households, highlighting growing pressure on local housing services.
Why it matters: The council has a legal duty to provide temporary accommodation for certain homeless groups under the Housing Act 1996, but is struggling to meet demand through existing arrangements.
The details:
The contract with Cameron Adventures, which operates the Best Western hotel in Copdock, will run from 17 October 2024 to 31 March 2025.
It follows two previous 12-week contracts with the hotel.
The council has waived normal market testing requirements due to "urgency and lack of providers".
Behind the scenes: Internal consultations took place between the council's procurement, finance and legal teams before the decision was approved. A Section 151 Officer reviewed the contract exemption before recommending approval.
What they're saying: The council's decision notice states there is "continued high demand for temporary accommodation and a lack of providers of this type of accommodation for homeless households."
The bottom line: The emergency contract approval suggests Ipswich's housing crisis shows no signs of easing, with the council having to take extraordinary measures to fulfil its statutory obligations to homeless residents.
An award-winning local law firm
Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.
