Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Social Services) Approval sought to appoint a contractor/provider to install energy efficiency measures throughout the borough. FAILED TO MEET DESPATCH DATE

Our Chair agreed to accept the report as urgent business. The report was late because of the need to complete necessary consultations.  The report was too urgent to await the next meeting because of the need to ensure that the provision in the Housing Services Capital Budget for 2006-07 of £240,000 for the energy conservation programme was spent and that a grant of £340,000 would be received from the North London Housing Sub Regional Group for private sector decent homes. 

Details of the contracts which were set out in the Appendix to the report at item 6 on the Agenda were the subject of a Motion to exclude the press and public from the meeting as they contained exempt information relating to the business or financial affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information).

In response to a question we were advised that market testing had taken place and that officers were satisfied that the contract was being awarded in a very restricted market.  We were also advised that there was thought to be little value in undertaking a full tendering exercise which was why a waiver of Contract Standing Order 6.04 was being sought.

We noted that in accordance with instructions previously issued by our Committee officers had separated out the required waiver of Contract Standing Orders from the contract award. Having regard to the need  to urgently proceed with this matter we asked , that a further report be produced by the Director of Social Services to award the contract following consultation with our Chair.

RESOLVED:

1)     That, in accordance with Contract Standing Order 7, approval be granted to a waiver of Contract Standing Order (Requirement to Tender) in connection with the Energy Efficiency Scheme..

2)     That, in accordance with Part H.2 of the Constitution (Executive Procedure Rules), Section 1.02, Sub-delegation of Executive Functions, the award of the contract be delegated to the Director of Social Services in consultation with our Chair.

That officers review the arrangement which required separate reports in relation to waivers of Contract Standing Orders and awards of contracts and advise our Committee of whether or not this practice should be discontinued