Norfolk County Council has set up a framework agreement worth £75m with SIGN Outcomes Partnerships Limited to streamline how the council brings social investors into its social inclusion programmes.

The framework operates across four lots, allowing council departments to call off investment partnerships that combine funders, outcome payers and local delivery partners to develop and deliver projects. The council says it is seeking partnerships that raise impact for beneficiaries, delivery partners and council commissioners alike.

Framework agreements allow a buyer to draw down services from a supplier over time rather than committing to a single fixed contract. SIGN Outcomes Partnerships is now appointed to this framework, and the council may place call-offs across any of the four lots up to the £75m estimate.

Any individual contract awarded from the framework carries a maximum duration of ten years. No contract will extend beyond April 2040. The council notes that the £75m estimate may be shared between framework lots depending on actual usage.

The notice includes a caveat: Norfolk is subject to proposed unitary local government reorganisation and a planned Mayoral Strategic Authority covering Norfolk and Suffolk. Should these proceed, contracts may be transferred or novated to successor authorities, or the council may order services on behalf of other local authorities in Norfolk's current area.