Issue - meetings

Councillor J. McIlroy

To consider a report on the procurement and award of a Professional Services Framework Agreement.

Reason for Exemption

The appendices to this report contain exempt information within the meaning of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006:

Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information because, disclosure to the public would prejudice the financial position of the authority in obtaining best value and agreeing contract terms with bidders for future contracts. If the rates of the preferred companies were to become public knowledge then this may put the Council in a position where they are vulnerable to securing value for money in its contracts. 

Cabinet considered a report on the procurement and award of a professional services framework agreement.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Cabinet:

·         Procure professional services on a project by project basis.

·         Continue the use of other external frameworks.

Resolved to

1.    approve the Professional Services Framework Agreement and

2.    approve the named providers in each lot for the Professional Services Framework Agreement as set out in Confidential Appendix C

Reasons for Decision

The establishment of the Framework Agreement will provide a faster and more compliant route to market.

The fees proposed by the Professional Services provider are the basis for a negotiation to obtain the lowest possible project fees which demonstrate value for money.