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Agenda item

Delivering for residents through Sustainable and Ethical Commissioning

Officer: Jacqueline Harris Baker

Key decision: no

Decision:

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Approve and adopt the refreshed Commissioning Framework 2019-2023 (as set out at Appendix 1 of the report);

 

2.    Approve and adopt the Council’s Social Value Policy 2019-2023 (as set out at Appendix 2 of the report);

 

3.    Recommend the adoption of the revised Tenders and Contracts Regulations, part 4 of the Constitution (as set out at Appendix 3 of the report) to Full Council; and

 

4.    Delegate to the Director of Commissioning and Procurement, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, authority to make minor amendments to the documents presented to Full Council and any consequential amendments as necessary and to ensure publication of any amendments.

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources paid tribute to the work of the Director of Commissioning and Procurement and her team for their work on developing a Commissioning Strategy and Social Values Framework.

 

It was noted by the Cabinet Member that when Labour became the Administration that the rating for contracts had been 60% price and 40% quality; however there had been a change to focus on quality with a weighting of 60% as it was recognised that it was important to deliver quality contracts for residents. Additionally it was noted that the social value of contracts was important for delivering for residents, and as such a 10% weighting in relation to social value was part of the quality score when assessing tenders.

 

The council was proud of the ethical approach which has been adopted; including the charters which the council had signed up to and had been put at the heart of procurement.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that the council was committed to transparency, and noted the strengthened Value Croydon website which sought to assist Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the borough to see the contracts the council was letting. Additionally, it was noted, that the council was increasingly holding suppliers to account which was ensuring the delivery of the best service for residents.

 

Members noted the different ways a new approach to commissioning had delivered improved results; such as a number of the Ground Maintenance team had previously been paid the minimum wage and when they had transferred as part of insourcing had started to be paid the London Living Wage. This had led to staff feeling valued and an improved service. Additionally, Members noted the social value of the New Addington Leisure and Community Centre had been phenomenal with local residents being trained through apprenticeships which would have a long term impact on the local community.

 

The Cabinet Member concluded his presentation by stating that the documents for approval were the bedrock for delivering services and ensuring services were being delivered in the right way to ensure the best outcomes for residents.

 

In response to Member questions the Cabinet Member informed Members that monitoring would take place which would show how successful the approach had been to support local SMEs in being awarded contracts. Additionally, it was noted that the new system, My Resources, would further allow geographical tracking to enable the council to monitor the delivery of contracts and ensure that contracts were remaining local, which was defined as being within the borough.

 

The Cabinet Member stated that it was not possible to speak in detail in relation to a letter received from Croydon Accessible Transport as it was subject to a formal response from the Chief Executive and Procurement; however confirmed that the allegation had been fully investigated and due process had been followed. Members were informed that the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources and the Cabinet Member for Safer Croydon & Communities would be meeting with Croydon Accessible Transport to discuss their future plans and establish if assistance can be provided to the organisation as it was recognised that there were impacts on organisations which no longer had council contracts.

 

The Leader of the Council delegated authority to the Cabinet to make the following decisions.

 

RESOLVED: To

 

1.    Approve and adopt the refreshed Commissioning Framework 2019-2023 (as set out at Appendix 1 of the report);

 

2.    Approve and adopt the Council’s Social Value Policy 2019-2023 (as set out at Appendix 2 of the report);

 

3.    Recommend the adoption of the revised Tenders and Contracts Regulations, part 4 of the Constitution (as set out at Appendix 3 of the report) to Full Council; and

 

4.    Delegate to the Director of Commissioning and Procurement, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, authority to make minor amendments to the documents presented to Full Council and any consequential amendments as necessary and to ensure publication of any amendments.

Supporting documents: