Waltham Forest Council's Cabinet has approved a new contract with Matrix SCM for the provision of temporary agency workers. The decision, made during a meeting on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, will see the council utilise the MSTAR4 framework agreement, established by the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO).
The new contract is set to commence on 1 December 2026, with an initial two-year term. It includes the option for two further two-year extensions, subject to satisfactory performance and alignment with the council's priorities.
This decision follows a comprehensive assessment of procurement options, with the direct award to Matrix SCM identified as providing the strongest financial and operational benefits. The council highlighted a significant reduction in agency spend in 2025/26 compared to 2024/25, amounting to £7.678m, attributed to strengthened governance and targeted interventions.
The Neutral Vendor model was favoured for its flexibility and ability to access specialist agencies, thereby mitigating the risk of off-contract spend. Matrix SCM's commitment to social value and workforce insights was also noted as a key benefit.
