Issue details

Summary

This report seeks permission to commence the procurement of short breaks contracts for disabled children and their carers.

Access to Information

The report together with any other documents being considered (unless they contain exempt information) will be available for inspection 5 clear days before the decision is taken by the Cabinet. Copies are available on the Council's website or requested from Democratic Services Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk If you wish to submit information to the Cabinet about the item please also contact Democratic Services. It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of the intention to make a key decision. On this occasion it has not been possible to provide this 28 clear days’ notice owing to this procurement process having been originally classified as a medium risk procurement which would not require formal decision by Cabinet (the decision for Medium risk procurements lies with the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Procurement Board). The Procurement Board, on 3 December, decided to amend the risk rating to High, which means that approval is now a matter for Cabinet. Section 10 (General Exception) of the above regulations have been complied with.

Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private

This report will contain some information which the Cabinet may decide to consider in private. This is because, in the view of the Proper Officer, consideration of the information in public would disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 - information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Should you wish to make any representation for the discussion of this item to be held in public, you should contact: Democratic Services, Medway Council, Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TR or email democratic.services@medway.gov.uk  

It is noted that the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements)(Meetings and Access to Information)(England) Regulations 2012 requires 28 clear days’ notice of a Cabinet meeting to be held in private. On this occasion it has not been possible to provide this 28 clear days’ notice. The Chairman of the Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed, in accordance with the provisions of the 2012 Regulations, that this matter is both urgent and cannot be reasonably deferred until the next Cabinet meeting on 13 January 2015 because of the need to commence the procurement process as soon as possible in line with the procurement timeline.

The Cabinet’s response to any representations will be published on 8 December 2014 within the Cabinet Agenda.A final decision on whether this item will be determined in private will be taken during the meeting.