Issue - meetings

The Leader’s Portfolio

To consider report FIN/519 of the Head of Corporate Finance.

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet

a)         approves that Crawley Borough Council continue to act as lead authority and provide procurement services on behalf of Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council and Mole Valley District Council from 1 April 2022. 

b)         agrees to the provision of services under an Inter-Authority Agreement for a minimum period of four years commencing on 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026 with an option to extend for a further period of up to four years.

c)         agrees to accept a delegation from Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council and Mole Valley District Council of their procurement functions under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972.

d)         delegates authority to the Head of Legal, Governance and HR and Head of Corporate Finance to agree the terms of the Inter-Authority Agreement which reflects the principles outlined in the report.

e)         delegates to the Head of Legal, Governance and HR, and Head of Corporate Finance the ability to apply the four year extension at the end of the initial term subject to performance review and in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The current joint working arrangement with Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex Council and Mole Valley District Council is due for renewal on 31^st March 2022 and therefore there is a need for Members to agree how procurement services will be  provided in the future in order to give partners assurance that services will continue beyond this date.

The Leader presented report FIN/519of the Head of Corporate Finance.  The report sought approval for the procurement shared service model to continue for a further four years with an option to extend for a further four years from 1 April 2022 with Crawley acting as the lead authority, providing services under an Inter-Authority Agreement on behalf of Horsham. Mid Sussex and Mole Valley District Councils.

Councillor Crow also spoke in support of the report and the continuing good work of the shared service

A recorded vote was taken on the recommendations in accordance with the Council’s Virtual Committee Procedure Rules.  The names of the Councillors voting for and against the recommendations, along with any abstentions, are recorded as set out below:

Councillor Lamb moved the recommendation with it seconded by Councillor P Smith.

For the recommendations:

Councillors Irvine, Jhans, Lamb, Mullins, B Smith and P Smith (6)

Against the recommendations:

None. (0)

Abstentions:

None. (0)

RESOLVED

That the Cabinet

a)          approves that Crawley Borough Council continue to act as lead authority and provide procurement services on behalf of Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council and Mole Valley District Council from 1 April 2022.

b)          agrees to the provision of services under an Inter-Authority Agreement for a minimum period of four years commencing on 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026 with an option to extend for a further period of up to four years.

c)          agrees to accept a delegation from Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex District Council and Mole Valley District Council of their procurement functions under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972.

d)          delegates authority to the Head of Legal, Governance and HR and Head of Corporate Finance to agree the terms of the Inter-Authority Agreement which reflects the principles outlined in the report.

e)          delegates to the Head of Legal, Governance and HR, and Head of Corporate Finance the ability to apply the four-year extension at the end of the initial term subject to performance review and in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

Reasons for the Recommendations

The current joint working arrangement with Horsham District Council, Mid Sussex Council and Mole Valley District Council is due for renewal on 31^st March 2022 and therefore there is a need for Members to agree how procurement services will be  provided in the future in order to give partners assurance that services will continue beyond this date.