Agenda item

Members were presented with the Contract Procedure Rules Update which requested the Committees approval to some interim amendments to the Contract Procedure Roles to support transformation activity prior to the completion of a more fundamental review being finalised.

Members raised concerns over the raise from £0 - £20,000 to £0 - £50,000, officers assured Members that there was an expectation for Executive Directors to prove there was value for money and the contracts would follow the Council’s procurement rules meaning all decisions would be scrutinised.

Queries were raised around the framework changes and if there were hopes of driving money into the local economy. Officers explained that the framework was used where appropriate and that the team aims to build value in contracts which in turn means the consideration of local suppliers.

Members welcomed the increase to £50,000 as it would aid in reducing the workload from teams such as Area Councils. The Chair added that Area Council decisions were well recorded in terms of their audit trails.

RESOLVED - That Members approved the proposed amendments to the thresholds to enable these to be implemented while the further revisions to the full document are finalised.

Members noted that the thresholds would be revised as follows:

·       £0 - £50,000

For contracts valued up to and including £50,000 an Executive Director shall proceed in a manner which ensures value for money and the efficient management of the service. Where possible this process shall prioritise the placing of orders with local businesses.

·       £50,001 - £70,000

For contracts above £50,000 and up to and including £70,000 the Executive Director must seek to achieve competition and for that purpose invite at least three quotations via YORtender. Where appropriate at least two of the companies invited to quote should be local businesses.

·       £70,000

All procurement above £70,000 in total contract value must be undertaken by the Strategic Procurement Team. For procurements above £70,000 to the FTS threshold for goods and services, an open tender procedure must be followed.