Issue - meetings

Further to Minutes 21 (7 July 2009) and 3 (8 June 2010), the Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Human Resources presented a report on the final business case which supports the recommendation to enter into a joint venture and Partnership Agreement and the outcome of the tender evaluation to select the Preferred Bidder.

The Cabinet Member outlined the key benefits of the joint venture proposals and advised that savings of up to £10m per year were anticipated over the course of the seven year agreement which will enable the Council to continue to deliver essential front-line services to the local community.  The Chief Executive also referred to the innovative nature of the joint venture and reassured Members as to the merits of the proposals.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council to achieve all of its Community Priorities and the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, to:

  (i)  The appointment of the Preferred Bidder, as recommended by the Main Evaluation Panel and named in the private and confidential section of the report, as the Joint Venture Strategic Partner to deliver the following services under Phase 1:

·  ICT

·  Procurement & Accounts Payable

·  Revenues and Benefits services

·  B&D Direct

  (ii)  The Council entering into a legally binding Joint Venture and Partnering Agreement with the Preferred Bidder;

  (iii)  The Council entering into a legally binding Services Contract with the Preferred Bidder and associated legal documentation; and

  (iv)  The Corporate Director of Finance and Resources putting in place appropriate internal arrangements for the proper monitoring and management of the Joint Venture and Partnering Agreement and the Services Contract through a new Commercial Services Unit.

(The Chair agreed that this report could be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency under the provisions of Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.)