Decision details

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved the commencement of procurement activities pursuant to CSO 2.01(b) to procure a services contract for the provision of Secure Print and Postal Services to support Revenues and Benefits, Housing, Planning and Pensions. The estimated contract cost is contained in the Part B (Exempt) report.

Reasons for decision

The current contract expired in January 2026.

Production of the notices laid out in section 1.2 are an essential service with the Council having a statutory requirement to issue notices for Revenues and Benefits under Local Government Finance Act 1988 & 1992.

£193 million in Council Tax and £84 million for NNDR (Business Rates) has been billed this financial year.  All customers that have not opted into e-billing must be issued a respective bill by post, otherwise they do not have to pay.

Alternative Options Considered

Do nothing:  This is not an option and would not only place the Council in breach of its statutory obligations but would also result in a significant reduction in income to the Council as Council Tax and Business Rates cannot be collected unless the associated statutory notices have been issued.

Undertake a full procurement: Should be discounted, as procurement through a framework will allow the Council to take advantage of accumulated pricing based on the framework.