Issue - meetings

The report details proposed changes to the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) for approval, following initial consideration by the Audit Committee and the Cabinet. 

Discussion:

This report provided details of some proposed changes to the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs). The three main changes to the CPRs were set out in the report and these related to: the increase in the minimum expenditure level being made through the Category Management Team would rise from £5,000 to £25,000 (and anything below this figure would remain a responsibility of the service area); the inclusion of the statutory definition of a key decision in the CPRs and; a requirement to use internal resources first, such as Property and Capital Projects and the Category Management Teams, before approaching the open market would be made clear in the CPRs.

The comments of the Audit Committee and Cabinet were set out in sections 7 and 8 of the report.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Gulvin, supported by the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services (Lead Member), Councillor Mackness, proposed the recommendation set out in the report.

Decision:

a)    The Council noted the comments of the Audit Committee and the Cabinet as set out in sections 7 and 8 of the report.

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

Background:

This report provided details of proposed changes to the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs). In particular, the proposed changes would provide greater efficiencies on procurement activities within the authority by establishing a uniform means to award lower value (under £25,000) contracts. It was also proposed to introduce a requirement to use internal resources first such as Property and Capital Projects and the Category Management Teams before approaching the open market.

This report had been considered by the Audit Committee on 27 June 2018 and its comments were set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

An addendum report was tabled at the meeting which provided details of a further proposed revision to the Contract Procedure Rules. These minor changes to the text would provide assurance that any procurement which was caught by the statutory definition of a key decision would be classified as high risk and referred to Cabinet for determination.

Reasons:

These proposed changes will implement a more robust suite of Contract Procedure Rules.