Decision details

The Cabinet considered an exempt joint report of the Director of Environment and Transport and Director of Corporate Resources seeking approval for an exception to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules to supply temporary staff for hard to fill posts.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 18’ is filed with these minutes.  The report was not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 3 and 10 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

That an exception to the Contract Procedure Rules be agreed to enable the Director of Environment and Transport to approve the direct award of contracts to Designated Suppliers identified in the report for the temporary provision of specialist HGV drivers, plant operatives, and supervisors, with the contracts running until 30 September 2026 with a maximum combined spend of £1.6m.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The County Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (Part 4G of the Constitution) require that, where the estimated value of a contract exceeds £179,087, formal tenders must be invited.

Where an exception to the Contract Procedure Rules is required for contracts over £179,087, Rule 57 (d) provides that the Cabinet’s approval be obtained to the exception where this is justified on its merits. The proposed contracts with other agencies outside the corporate contract are expected to have a combined value not exceeding £1.6m, each of which is likely to be over the £179,087 threshold.

The circumstances and financial considerations surrounding the proposal, explained the report, mean that other procurement processes are not possible in order to ensure business continuity.

The Environment and Transport Department has been unable to source all the necessary staff required via the Council’s existing recruitment and agency arrangements.