Issue - meetings

In February 2015, the legislation which governs the procurement rules for public sector procurement was updated and enacted into UK legislation in the form of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. This legislation replaces the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (as Amended).

The Council, as a public sector organisation is bound by this legislation and therefore, the internal Contract Procedure Rules of the Council need to be updated accordingly.

Discussion:

The Council received a report setting out changes to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules to accord with amendments to the procurement Directives by the European Union in February 2014 which had subsequently been enshrined in UK law on 26 February 2015 in the form of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin supported by Councillor Wildey proposed the recommendations set out in the report 

Decision:

The Council approved the updated Contract Procedure Rules, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

Background:

This report proposed revisions to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules, which were contained within the Council's Constitution.

It was noted that in February 2015, the legislation which governed the procurement rules for public sector procurement had been updated and enacted into UK legislation in the form of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The report explained the main changes made to the procurement legislation and Appendix 1 to the report highlighted the necessary revisions to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

It was reported that the Audit Committee had considered the proposed revisions on 14 July 2015 and details of the Committee’s discussion was set out in the report. In response to a question raised at the Audit Committee meeting, the report and Appendix 2 to the report explored the use of electronic websites to purchase goods within the context of both the 2015 Regulations and the Council’s current Contract Procedure Rules.

Reasons:

By agreeing the updating of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules, the Council will be better protected against challenges to contract awards.