Agenda and minutes

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for the Environment, which set out the response to the Environment and Housing Scrutiny Panel’s interim report on the new waste and recycling service.

RESOLVED:

That the response to the Environment and Housing Scrutiny Panel’s interim report on the new waste and recycling service, as set out in Appendix B of the report, be agreed.

Alternative Options Considered

Not applicable.

Reasons for Decision

The Panel heard evidence from a wide range of stakeholders and visited a number of sites across the Borough to gather evidence on issues that had arisen following the introduction of the new service. The report provides a response to the recommendations made by the Panel. 

A deputation was accepted in opposition to Item 15: ‘Review of Right to Buy Lease’ from Ms Lynn Zilkha, representing the Haringey Leaseholders Campaign Group (HLCG).

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which forecast financial revenue and capital outturns for 2012/13 based on actual performance up to the end of October 2012 (Period 7). The report also set out proposed management actions and sought approval of proposed budget adjustments (virements).

RESOLVED:

1. That the projected outturn position against the Council’s 2012/13 revenue and capital budgets be noted.

2. That the budget changes (virements) set out in Appendix 3 of the report be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

The quarterly reports to Cabinet on the Council’s overall financial position are an important element of the overall Medium Term Financial Planning process. A risk based approach to budget monitoring has been developed in order to manage the Council’s finances in a time of economic and financial uncertainty.

Cabinet could choose to adopt a less rigorous regime and examine the financial position at a later stage. Projections could be marginally more accurate if a delayed approach was adopted, but there would be less time for robust development and consideration of management actions and virements.

Reasons for Decision

Financial regulations require proposed budget changes to be approved by Cabinet. These are shown in the appendices to the report. 

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which set out the strategic financial issues for the three year planning period to 2015/16. The report also proposed the process for setting the Council’s 2013/14 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) to 2015/16.

The Cabinet Member noted that the Council was yet to be notified of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and that until this was known there would be uncertainty with regard to the budget position for 2013/14. This, combined with changes to the payment of Council Tax Benefit, meant that there may be further re-prioritisation of resources during the budget setting process in the new year.  

In response to concerns expressed regarding increased charges to schools for school swimming lessons and the impact of the deletion of the mobile library service the Leader requested that the relevant Cabinet Members took into consideration the points made during the budget setting process.

RESOLVED:

1. That the current known changes to Local Government Finance, set out in Section 7 of the report and the associated modelling assumptions, be noted.

2. That it be noted that the assumptions would be refined after the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement was published in late December 2012.

3. That the proposed housing rent increases, as set out in Appendix 5 of the report, which were subject to consultation, be noted.

4. That the proposed tenants service charges, set out in Appendix 5 of the report, which were subject to consultation, be noted.

5. That the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2013 – 2016, as described in Appendix 5 of the report, be noted.

6. That the draft proposals, to be recommended to the Full Council at its meeting in February 2013 for the Council’s Capital Programme for the period 2013/14 – 2015/16, as set out in paragraph 12 and Appendix 6 of the report, be approved.

7. That the draft proposals, to be recommended to the Full Council at its meeting in February 2013, for the Council’s MTFP 2013/14 – 2015/16, subject to the announcement of the provisional Local Government financial settlement (Appendices 1-4), be approved.

8. That the significant reform of school funding being implemented in 2013/14 (as detailed in paragraph 10.1 of the report) be noted.

9. That the projected level of Dedicated Schools Grant as £226.244m (detailed in paragraph 10.12 of the report) be agreed.

10. That it be noted that an expected pupil premium allocation of £12.793m for 2013/14 (as detailed in paragraph 10.6 of the report) be noted.

11. That projected income from the Education Funding Agency (EFA) to fund post 16 education in Haringey schools in 2013/14 (as set out in paragraph 10.7 of the report) be noted.

12. That the proposed allocation of the Schools Block recommended to the Schools Forum on 6 December 2012, including the elements set out below, be noted:

Ø  Growth Fund £1.5m

Ø  Centrally retained budgets £3.602m

Ø  Delegation to schools through the R-16 formula £199.550m

Alternative Options Considered

The report proposes that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 301.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval of proposed increases in fees and charges for 2013/14 as set out in the appendices to the report.

An additional Appendix (10) was circulated to Members on 13 December 2012, detailing the fee for the Meals on Wheels Service. Whilst the fee was referred to in the main body of the report (paragraph 7.4.1) it was considered appropriate to set out the fee clearly in an Appendix, as had been done in respect of all other fees considered by the Cabinet. This was to enable the Cabinet to agree the Fees and Charges as set out within the appendices to the report. 

RESOLVED:

1. That it be agreed that a general increase of 3% was applied to Fees and Charges levied by the Council with effect from 1 April 2013, subject to an Equalities Impact Assessment being carried out where appropriate and any subsequent changes then required being delegated to the relevant Director, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

2. That the approach for those services, set out in the report, where a different rate other that the general increase is proposed, with effect from 1 April 2013 be agreed, subject to an equalities impact assessment being carried out where appropriate and any subsequent changes then required being delegated to the relevant Director, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member.

3. That it be agreed that the estimated additional income arising from the increases in Fees and Charges as set out the report, amounting to £340k, be reflected within the Council’s 2013/14 budget and Medium Term Financial Planning documents.

Alternative Options Considered

The report proposes a range of alternative approaches dependent on particular services and relevant factors. As such a range of alternative options ranging from no increase to differentiated rates of inflationary increases were considered and reflected in the report.

Reasons for Decision

It is a requirement to review Fees and Charges annually. The financial position that the Council finds itself in supports the view that levels of fees and charges should be maximised taking into account all relevant factors including the effect on service users and any consequent demand for services.

Cabinet considered a report that presented the Annual Audit Letter for 2011/12. Mr Paul Dossett from the Council’s external auditors, Grant Thornton, outlined the key findings of the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Audit Letter for 2011/12 be noted.

Alternative Options Considered

The nature of this report and recommendation are such that alternative options were not applicable.

Reasons for Decision

Receipt of the Annual Audit Letter is a statutory requirement.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, which sought approval of the proposed Schools Funding Formula for 2013/14.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed funding formula, set out in Appendix 1 of the report and unanimously recommended by the Haringey Schools Forum, be agreed, and that the Director of Children’s Services be given delegated authority to approve amendments to the formula if the Director considered that such amendments were necessary to address in order any equalities issues arising from the application of the revised DfE datasets (as set out in paragraph 1.5 of the report) and associated EqIA analysis.

Alternative Options Considered

Several models were considered by the Schools Forum Working Party and prior to that the Schools Forum on 11 October 2012.

The working group initially considered sixteen models that offered permutations against the allowable formula factors e.g. variations against lump sums of £100k and £150k or no lump sum. This also included looking at deprivation factors (FSME and IDACI) both individually and in combination. Based on the guidance given by the working party and the Schools Forum meeting in July, further work was undertaken to map the existing formula factors against the new, more limited, allowable factors.

Following this modelling to limit turbulence within the constraints of ensuring schools serving the most deprived areas were protected and the convergence of the primary: secondary ratio was carried out prior to reporting the recommendation model to Forum in October 2012.

Reasons for Decision

It is the statutory responsibility of the Council to approve the funding formula for schools.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Leader of the Council, which outlined performance against the Council’s priorities and other major responsibilities during the first half of 2012/13.

RESOLVED:

That progress against the Council’s priorities and other major responsibilities in during the first half of 2012/13 be noted.

Alternative Options Considered

Alternative options are not applicable for this report.

Reasons for Decision

This report is for information only. Cabinet is asked to note progress against the Council Plan.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Leader of the Council, which sought agreement to the award of funding to five projects from the One Borough, One Future Fund.

The Leader noted that over three hundred applications had been received for funding, which had been considered by a cross party panel of Members and thanked the Members and officers that had been involved for their contribution. 

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to the awarding of funding, as set out below, to the following five projects, from the One Borough One Future Fund, with the  Funding would be awarded to all projects in phases, with progress and performance against agreed targets to be reviewed at the end of each phase before further funding was released:

1. Family Action – for a sum of up to £299,455
2. Quaker Social Action – for a sum of up to £285,540
3. Carbon Management, London Borough of Haringey – for a sum of up to £45,000
4. Women Like Us and Community Development Foundation – for a sum of up to £20,000 for a feasibility study (originally funding request of £350,279)
5. Worklife – for a sum of up to £18,750 for a feasibility study (originally funding request of £288,750)

Alternative Options Considered

The One Borough One Future Fund was set up to challenge current service provision, and to create a space to innovate by funding pilot projects. The initiative in itself has been a new and bold approach for the Council, deemed necessary to ensure that services align with the changing needs of residents in the Borough.

All other applications at both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the selection process have been considered and assessed, based on the criteria set out in Section 5. The recommended final projects have been selected from those applicants, on account of these merits. 

Reasons for Decision

A £1.2m budget for the One Borough One Future Fund was approved at Full Council’s budget setting meeting on 24 February 2012 and increased to £1.5m by approval of Cabinet on 12 June 2012. The decision is now being taken to award an initial level of funding to projects recommended by the Innovation Panel of cross-party Members, following a two-phase application process. This decision will enable projects to commence their first stage of implementation or development in January 2013.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing, which sought authorisation to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for twelve properties.

The Cabinet Member noted that this was a highly effective method of bringing properties back into use. Where similar action had been approved by Cabinet previously a significant proportion of the owners had taken action to bring properties back into use.

RESOLVED:

1. That the submission of the twelve properties listed in paragraph 5.8 of the report to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for a confirmed Order, under Compulsory Purchase powers, be authorised.

2. That the Head of Legal Services be authorised to:

3. That (subject to the confirmation of the CPO by the Secretary of State) approval be given to the disposal of the property to a Registered Provider where possible, or to an individual or private developer, with covenants to bring the property back into use as soon as possible.

4. That the costs of the CPO to be met from the Capital Programme be authorised.

5. That the recycling of the receipt from the disposal back to the capital programme budget for the continued private sector housing CPO programme be authorised.

Alternative Options Considered

All options have been tried and exhausted. Letters have been sent to the owners of the empty properties offering advice and grant aid.

Some of these properties have a debt outstanding to the Council which is being pursued under the Enforced Sales process. If the owner fails to pay, an Enforced Sale will be pursued and the property will be sold at auction. If they do pay but do not renovate the home and bring it back into use, the Council will proceed with a CPO.

Reasons for Decision

The properties contained in this report are owned by people who have failed to take action to bring them back into use despite letters and encouragement from the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 307.

Cabinet considered a report that sought approval to make changes to the standard Right to Buy lease in order to support housing management policies and to simplify the calculation of management fees.

Prior to consideration of the report a deputation in opposition to the proposals was received from Ms Lynne Zilkha on behalf of the Haringey Leaseholders Campaign Group (HLCG) Committee.

Ms Zilkha noted that as leaseholders she and members of HLCG Committee had concerns regarding the Council’s future management of leasehold properties. She contended that the Council had existing powers to enforce the conditions of leases and that further clauses and regulations were not required.

Ms Zilkha questioned whether the Council was legally able to make new clauses and regulations to the existing lease and noted that schedule 5 of the current lease ‘Regulations and Restrictions’ already listed restrictions placed on leaseholders. She went on to refer to legal challenges brought against other Local Authorities in London by leaseholders and argued that the outcome of these demonstrated that the proposed clauses and regulations were not lawful and requested that the advice from Counsel, received by the Council, was shared with leaseholders.

In conclusion Ms Zilkha contended that the proposed clauses and regulations were unnecessary and that they would place an unacceptable financial burden on leaseholders.

The Cabinet Member for Housing responded to Ms Zilkha’s deputation. It was noted that the new regulations related to works that would improve the safety and security of buildings. Measures such as the introduction of a sinking fund, which would be used to meet the cost of future major works, would prevent leaseholders being presented with large bills. With regard to concerns expressed around the legality of the proposals the Cabinet Member noted that advice had been obtained from Counsel in the drafting of the report.

The Head of Legal Services advised that no changes were being made to the existing clauses within the lease. As the report set out the Council was permitted to make additional clauses to the lease as proposed.

It was noted that legal advice requested and received was provided to the client, in this instance the Council, on a confidential basis and that it was not usual to share this with a third party.

RESOLVED:

1. That the following proposals detailed in sections 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 of the report be approved, subject tothe final wording of the clauses and regulations set out in (ii) and (iii) below being agreed by the Director of Adult and Housing services in consultation with the Head of Legal Servicesand the Cabinet Member Housing:

2. New clauses in the standard Right to Buy Lease for all new leaseholders regarding:

3. New regulations for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 308.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Social Inclusion, which outlined the content of applications submitted to Camden and Haringey Councils for the designation of a Highgate Neighbourhood Forum and Neighbourhood Area. The report also summarised responses received to the consultation undertaken with regard to the applications.

In response to concerns expressed by residents from Stanhope Gardens, Claremont Road and Maybury Mews, noting their preference to be included within a Crouch End Neighbourhood Area (if one were to be established in the future) Cabinet was advised that the Council could only refuse an application for a Neighbourhood Area on planning grounds. Although streets could not be included in more than one Neighbourhood Area, if an application were to be made for a Crouch End Neighbourhood Forum in the future consideration could be given to reviewing these streets as part of the application process.

RESOLVED:

1. That the responses to the consultation on the applications for the Highgate Neighbourhood Area and Neighbourhood Forum, as set out in Appendix A be noted and approved (subject to similar determinations by the London Borough of Camden in respect of that part of the Neighbourhood Area and Neighbourhood Forum within Camden).

2. That it be agreed, pursuant to Section 61G and 61I of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to designate the Highgate Neighbourhood Area, as set out in Appendices B and C of the report.

3. That it be agreed, pursuant to Section 61F of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to designate the Highgate Neighbourhood Forum, as set out in Appendices D and E of the report.

Alternative Options Considered

There are no alternative options. This legislation is now in force and local authorities are required to facilitate the process.

Reasons for Decision

In line with the Localism Act 2011 and the supporting Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, Local Authorities are required to facilitate the Neighbourhood planning process.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Social Inclusion, which set out the proposed approach to the development of Haringey’s Development Management Policies (DMP) and that also sought approval to commence the process of public consultation on a DMP Engagement Document in 2013.

RESOLVED:

1. That the proposed scope of the Development Management Policies Engagement Document, set out in Appendix 1 of the report, be noted.

2. That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Social Inclusion and the Director of Place and Sustainability to approve the final consultation document and associated Sustainability Appraisal and Equalities Impact Assessment.

Alternative Options Considered

Consideration was given to not adopting Development Management Policies and instead relying on the Local Plan: Strategic Policies and London Plan for determining applications. However, detailed planning policies are necessary to determine individual planning applications. The DMP addresses issues and concerns local to Haringey so relying on the London Plan for determining applications is not an option.

Reasons for Decision

The Development Management Policies form part of the Council’s folder of Local Plan documents and the production of each stage is subject to statutory public consultation. The decision to consult needs to be approved by Cabinet.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Housing, which provided Members with details of the investment priorities that were proposed for the 2013/14 Decent Homes Programme, together with details of a number of other investment priorities that were recommended for inclusion in the programme when funding became available.

RESOLVED:

1. That the proposed investment priorities for 2013/14 (Year 6 of the Decent Homes Programme) as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report be noted and agreed.

2. That the £10m ‘reserve list’ of homes, detailed in Appendix 2 of the report, be noted and that it be agreed that these homes should be added to the Decent Homes Programme when funds allow.

3. That it be agreed that authority to approve the Agreed Maximum Prices for the 2013/14 Decent Homes Programme be delegated to the Director of Adult and Housing Services after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing.

4. That it be agreed that, where it is deemed necessary to make adjustments to the 2013/14 Decent Homes Programme and/or the reserve schemes (due to confirmation of the Agreed Maximum Prices for these works, the availability of funding and/or stock investment priorities), such decisions are delegated to the Director of Adult and Housing Services after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction.

5. That it be noted that further reports would be produced early in 2013, recommending that investment priorities for the 2014/15 (Year 7) Decent Homes Programme and the appointment of Quantity Surveying and Multi Disciplinary Design consultants to support the delivery of the housing capital programme from 2013/14 onwards. 

Alternative Options Considered

The Decent Homes Programme 2013/14 and 2014/15 will ensure that at least another 2,459 Council homes are brought up to the Decent Homes Standard by the end of March 2015. Planned investment is being arranged in priority order.

Although it is possible to alter the investment priorities between years, the investment proposed for 2013/14 is deemed to represent the most effective way of making homes decent and meeting current and future investment needs.

Reasons for Decision

A decision is required to allow Haringey Council and Homes for Haringey to improve specific properties in 2013/14 following the confirmation of the Backlog Decent Homes funding allocation by Greater London Authority (GLA) in September 2012. Approval of this decision by Cabinet will ensure that the allocated funding is fully spent within 2013/14 to meet the GLA’s requirement.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Social Inclusion, which outlined how the responsibilities under the Localism Act 2011 and Regulations could be implemented. The report also sought delegation of powers to officers to enable the procedures to be undertaken.

RESOLVED:

1. That the approach to managing the Community Right to Bid pursuant to Regulations under the Localism Act 2011 be noted.

2. That authorisation to officers to undertake the functions specified in Appendix A of the report be approved.

3. That approval be given to the criteria for assessing nominations, as set out in Appendix B, of the report.

Alternative Options Considered

There are no alternative options. This legislation is now in force and Local Authorities are required to facilitate the process.

Reasons for Decision

In line with the Localism Act 2011 and the supporting Assets of Community Value 2012, Local Authorities are required to facilitate the Assets of Community Value procedures.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Services, which provided an overview of arrangements for the transfer of the Public Health function to the Local Authority in April 2013.

RESOLVED:

That NHS contracts be transferred to the Local Authority as follows:

1. Contracts that expire prior to April 2013, that are not affected by the substance misuse re-tender, as listed in Appendix 2a, will be extended by the NHS to March 2014 to ensure continuity of service. These contracts will transfer under statutory transfer scheme arrangements to the Council on 1 April 2013.

2. Contracts that expire prior to 1 April 2013, that are affected by the substance misuse re-tender, as listed in Appendix 2b of the report, will be extended by the NHS to December 2013 to ensure continuity of service and alignment with the re-tender process. These contracts will also transfer under statutory transfer scheme arrangements to the Council on 1 April 2013.

3. In order to facilitate the redesign and re-tendering of substance misuse contracts during 2012/13, which will comprise of contracts currently within the Council and some contracts that will transfer to the Council on 1 April 2013, approval is sought for the following:

Ø  A third waiver of the ‘Eban’ contract for a nine month period from April 2013 to December 2013 under Contract Standing Orders (CSO) 10.01.5 in Appendix 2f;

Ø  A nine month extension of contracts listed in Appendix 2g from April 2013 to December 2013 under CSO 19.02.2 of the Council’s CSO.  

4. To note that NHS contracts moving to the Council, which expire after April 2013, will transfer under statutory transfer scheme arrangements on 1 April 2013. These contracts are also contained in Appendix 2a.

5. To noted that there are financial implications for some sexual health services provided to Haringey residents outside the Borough. There is a statutory requirement to provide genitor-urinary medicine (GUM) services through national arrangements, whereby anyone can access GUM services in any part of England and Wales. Boroughs are then invoiced monthly by the provider organisation. Haringey will have limited control over the costs incurred under this national open access arrangement.

Alternative Options Considered

The transfer of the Public Health function to the Council is required by the Health and Social Care Act 2012 – as a legal requirement, there are no other options to consider.

Following the transfer of functions and their related contracts, as outlined in the report, there will be opportunities to shape future commissioned services.

Reasons for Decision

This information is set out in sections 2 and 3 of the report.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Carbon Reduction, which sought approval of new key principles to be applied to the Community Buildings policy and the strategic framework in order to help achieve improvements in the suitability, condition and sustainability of buildings.

RESOLVED:

1. That the following key principles being applied to the Community Building’s policy and strategic framework, to achieve improvements in the suitability, condition and sustainability of building and to widen access for Haringey’s diverse communities by aligning these to community needs and Council priorities, be approved:

2. That the principle that Council community buildings that are surplus to community use and present opportunities for leveraging wider regeneration and community benefits should be prioritised for redevelopment, alternative use or wider land assembly, be approved.

3. That the following reforms of circular grant funding for rent, to achieve increased community benefits from the use of available funding and to achieve fairness and transparency – a key principle in the Voluntary Sector Strategy, be approved:

4. That the methodology (point 7) and programme (point 12) for the in depth review of community buildings and tenancies in consultation with the tenants and for Property Services to bring forward any recommendations for change to Cabinet during Spring 2013 be approved.

Alternative Options Considered

The review has considered options with greater emphasis on regeneration outcomes, income maximisation, revenue savings and releasing capital by adopting principles based solely on best alternative use of assets. However, these options have not been developed further as the Council recognises the importance of suitable community spaces where people can meet, socialise, plan and deliver self help and other services as well as providing opportunities for community groups to lease or share suitable community buildings, which they can regard as home or a base. Consequently and in line with the Council’s Voluntary Sector Strategy, in particular outcome 5, the principles being recommended are designed to develop a supply of suitable community buildings, which meet the Council’s priorities, represent good use of resources and are managed for sustainability.

Reasons for Decision

In line with the recently adopted Voluntary Sector Strategy 2011-2016 (including outcome 5) there is a requirement to refocus the Council’s policy, strategy and practice in relation to community buildings and to set out recommendations and actions to make better use of the portfolio through supporting wider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 315.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Leader of the Council, which set out the current legislation and how it applied to the Council and the options to defer auto-enrolment.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to the delay of the auto-enrolment for existing job holders, until October 2017.

2. That the postponement of auto-enrolment for all newly appointed eligible job holders with a short term contract of less than three months for a period of three months or until the expiration of the contract if sooner, be approved.

3. That it be noted that auto-enrolment would apply to all other newly appointed eligible job holders with effect from 1 March 2013.

Alternative Options Considered

Consideration was initially given to postponing the date on which auto-enrolment obligations would otherwise apply from 1 March 2013 to 1 June 2013 to bed-in a SAP Payroll upgrade for auto-enrolment.

The early application of auto-enrolment across the whole workforce was initially considered on the basis that operationally it would be less administratively complex and simpler for employees to understand. It also underlined the Council’s commitment to the benefits of membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme and the benefits which both the Council as an employer and the employees enjoy from participation in the scheme. However, the budgetary implications outweighed these considerations.

Reasons for Decision

The decision to delay auto-enrolment to 1 October 2017 will alleviate an estimated increase in employer contributions amounting to £3m in 2013/14 and each subsequent year thereafter until 2017/18.

Postponing the auto-enrolment of casual employees will remove the requirement for an alternative scheme to be provided for them.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Cabinet Member for Children, which sought approval to award a contract to the successful tenderer (listed in the exempt part of the report) in accordance with Contract Standing Orders.

RESOLVED:

That the award of contact to the successful tenderer (set out in the exempt part of the report) in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.7.1(d) be agreed.

Alternative Option Considered

In-House Provision: consultation with parents/carers has consistently indicated that their preference is that the Parent Partnership Service should be provided independently of the Council. Also having an arms length has been recognised as national good practice.

Reasons for Decision

The proposed service will meet the Council’s statutory duty to ensure that parents and carers are well informed and able to understand and manage the special education needs process.

The procurement process has been carried out in line with the Procurement Code of Practice.

Cabinet considered a report, introduced by the Leader of the Council, which sought approval to award a framework agreement for Print and Associated Services.

RESOLVED:

1. That approval be given to award the framework agreement for Print and Associated Services to the contractors identified in the exempt part of the report for a period of four years from 1 February 2013 to 31 January 2017, as allowed under Contract Standing Order (CSO) 9.07 as the most economically advantageous tender.

2. That the contract should be monitored by the Council’s Communications and Marketing Team via key performance indicators in relation to jobs delivered on time, proportion of jobs declined as well as speed/response to complaints.

3. That it be noted that the service would continue to ensure value for money as contractors can ensure their prices remain competitive as they are able to update their prices to take advantage of prices changes in materials. In addition all jobs will be subject to competition via a web-based management system, so best prices per job are obtained on an ongoing basis.

Alternative options considered

No other options were available as this is a Part A or ‘priority service’ and as such is  subject to           the full requirements of European Union Procurement Regulations. Current suppliers therefore could not continue without a tender process taking place.

Reasons for Decision

To award a framework agreement for print and associated services.