Issue - meetings

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement of a Minor Works / Low Value Construction Framework and a Construction and Engineering Consultancy Framework. This would cover projects up to the value of £1 million.

The report set out details of the framework, noting that one aim was to support the local economy through the use of local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) where they meet the required standards. It was also reported that the Property and Capital Projects service priority was to ensure speedy service selection and that once the framework was in place, call off from the framework would be in line with the procedures as set out.

The production of an annual summary of contracts via the framework would enable Members to monitor contract performance and have an overview of productivity.

This Gateway 1 report had been considered by Corporate Management Team and then Procurement Board.

An exempt appendix contained key financial information.

Reasons:

The decisions will reduce the reactive procurements undertaken at present whilst providing efficiencies to the Council and ensuring quality improvements over the course of the 4 year framework. Negating Gateway One and Three papers will also speed up the procurement process, enabling officers to dedicate time to more projects thereby increasing efficiency and productivity. The production of an annual summary of contracts via the framework will enable Members to monitor contract performance and have an overview of productivity.