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Interim Recruitment

East Lindsey District Council

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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02 Sep 2026 at 11:27

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

East Lindsey District Council procured interim recruitment and management support for its Development Management function. The requirement is for an interim Development Manager and the associated recruitment service, providing continuity for statutory service delivery and essential operational work. The buyer is East Lindsey District Council, based in Horncastle, and the service is for its council operations in the East Midlands. The procurement is categorised as services, with the recruitment element classified under CPV 79600000. The appointed supplier is a specialist recruitment business supplying an interim management resource rather than delivering construction, planning consultancy or general staffing across multiple functions. The requirement is focused on maintaining the Council’s Development Management leadership and operational resilience while a suitable permanent appointment is not in place.

The procurement has been awarded through a direct award. East Lindsey District Council selected Stonehouse Recruitment Group Limited following assessment of candidates, on the basis that it could provide a suitably expert and immediately available interim resource. The award date is 2 September 2026. The gross awarded value is £314,400, including applicable taxes. The contract is scheduled to run from 7 September 2026 to 31 March 2028. There is one completed lot, suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The award is above the relevant threshold. Stonehouse Recruitment Group Limited remains responsible for delivery; Quba Solutions Ltd may process purchase orders and invoice payments as its authorised factoring company but is not the service provider or contracting party.

This procurement demonstrates demand from East Lindsey District Council for interim leadership within Development Management when permanent recruitment cannot secure a suitable candidate quickly enough. Suppliers best placed for a future requirement would combine specialist public-sector recruitment capability with access to experienced Development Managers who can maintain statutory services and provide operational continuity. Credible candidates would need relevant management expertise, strong knowledge of Development Management and the ability to take responsibility for a key council function with limited lead-in time. Evidence of successfully placing senior interim professionals, checking skills and suitability, and supporting availability and commitment would strengthen a competing supplier’s position. The opportunity also shows that an SME recruitment provider can meet a substantial, above-threshold council requirement when it can identify a highly suitable interim resource.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Interim Recruitment

Notice Description

Provision of interim management services to support the Council's Development Management function and ensure continuity of statutory service delivery.

Procurement Information

East Lindsey District Council intends to award a contract for the provision of interim Development Manager services through Stonehouse Recruitment Group Ltd. The requirement relates to a key management position supporting the delivery of statutory functions and essential operational services. The Council has undertaken recruitment activity with the objective of making a permanent appointment but has been unable to successfully recruit a suitable candidate despite extensive efforts. In addition, the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation programme has further constrained the market for permanent recruitment and reduced the likelihood of securing an appropriately qualified candidate on a permanent basis within the timescales required. To ensure continuity of service and maintain operational resilience, the Council assessed the interim recruitment market and considered a number of alternative candidates. Following interview and assessment, the Council concluded that the alternative candidates did not possess the required combination of skills, experience and suitability necessary to undertake the role. Stonehouse Recruitment Group Ltd has identified a candidate who has the necessary expertise, availability and commitment to fulfil the Council's requirements and provide continuity for the anticipated duration of the assignment. Delaying the appointment to undertake a further competitive procurement process would create a significant risk to service delivery and the Council's ability to effectively discharge its statutory responsibilities. The Council therefore considers that a direct award is necessary and proportionate in the circumstances, as a further procurement exercise is unlikely to identify an alternative supplier capable of providing a resource with the same level of suitability and immediate availability within the required timeframe. The contract will be awarded to Stonehouse Recruitment Group Ltd for the provision of recruitment services and supply of the interim resource. For administrative and payment purposes, purchase orders and invoice payments may be processed through Quba Solutions Ltd, acting as Stonehouse Recruitment Group Ltd.'s authorised factoring company. Quba Solutions Ltd will not provide the services and will not be the contracting party. Stonehouse Recruitment Group Ltd will remain fully responsible for the delivery of the contracted services. This Transparency Notice is being published in the interests of openness and transparency and to provide the market with an opportunity to raise any concerns prior to contract award.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f03a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082986-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79600000 - Recruitment services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£314,400 £100K-£500K
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Sep 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
7 Sep 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
East Lindsey District Council
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
HORNCASTLE
Postcode
LN9 6PH
Postcode Area
Lincoln
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLF East Midlands (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLF3 Lincolnshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLF30 Lincolnshire CC
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
East Lindsey
Electoral Ward
Horncastle
Westminster Constituency
Louth and Horncastle

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

STONEHOUSE RECRUITMENT GROUP LIMITED

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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