Agenda, decisions and minutes

There was no apologies.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There were no declarations of interest.

Minutes of the last meeting held on Wednesday, 13 September 2023 attached to be signed as a correct record.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 13 September were agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The Notice of Executive Decisions / Cabinet Forward Plan for October 2023 is available on the website.

The Forward Plan was noted.

Report of the Interim Chief Executive attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

Cabinet agrees to award the contract to Kompan Ltd to replace the tower slides at Withy Grove Park Playground for a fixed price of £110,000.

Reasons for decision:

A Cabinet decision is required for the contract award due to project value; award of the contract will allow the project to replace the playground equipment to be progressed.

Other options considered and rejected:

The option of not replacing the tower slide with a similar piece of equipment was considered and rejected as the item formed the centrepiece of the play area and Withy Grove Park is one of the few parks in the borough where such an item can be installed due to the amount of space available.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Property, Assets, Commercial Services and Major Developments) presented a report that asked Cabinet to award the contract to replace the central tower at Withy Grove Park Playground for a fixed price of £110,000.

The old slide had been vandalised twice in 2022 and the new slide would be a like for like replacement.

Members also congratulated all those involved with the park after it received a green flag award for the first time in 2023.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

Cabinet agrees to award the contract to Kompan Ltd to replace the tower slides at Withy Grove Park Playground for a fixed price of £110,000.

Reasons for decision:

A Cabinet decision is required for the contract award due to project value; award of the contract will allow the project to replace the playground equipment to be progressed.

Other options considered and rejected:

The option of not replacing the tower slide with a similar piece of equipment was considered and rejected as the item formed the centrepiece of the play area and Withy Grove Park is one of the few parks in the borough where such an item can be installed due to the amount of space available.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the press and public be excluded for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the press and public be excluded for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

To enter a contract with Inspired Energy PLC, a PCR 2015 compliant utility specialist, with commodities market expertise to procure water, electricity and gas contracts on behalf of the council via a choice of PCR compliant frameworks, in line with the Council’s green agenda.

To agree to engage with Inspired Energy PLC on an ongoing basis to help monitor, track and record the utility data for all Council assets, utilising the companies’ online cloud-based portal to track usage and spends across assets, and provide advice and support to the Council on energy reductions or identifiable usage trends. As well as an array of other services.

Reasons for decision:

South Ribble Borough Council’s previous utility procurement via YPO Framework has recently come to an end. This is an ideal time to not only procure utilities in a more cost-effective manner, with greater council control and insight into the suppliers being selected, and the type of utility procurement that suits the council’s needs; but also adapt and procure a service from a supplier that includes additional elements to support with the tracking and recording of utility usage across all sites.

Current operating practices means the council is unable to provide the necessary utility data and tracking information that will enable it to assess the success of key green agenda projects. Resources currently available to officers for tracking and recording purposes are not able to produce the reports and data necessary to adequately assess and track utility data.

Inspired Energy Plc will procure via a PCR compliant framework, as has been done in the past via YPO; but will provide so much more to the council in terms of bill validation, utility company liaison, and the tracking data available to the council to better understand the energy being used across assets.

Other options considered and rejected:

The choice to procure commodities via YPO framework on a fixed term basis has been considered and rejected.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Property, Assets, Commercial Services and Major Developments) presented a report that sought approval to engage with a PCR 2015 compliant provider to broker commodities deals on behalf of the council and to work with the council to better record and track utility usage across all council assets.

Members commented that it was important to ensure best value for utility rates especially given rising costs.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

To enter a contract with Inspired Energy PLC, a PCR 2015 compliant utility specialist, with commodities market expertise to procure water, electricity and gas contracts on behalf of the council via a choice of PCR compliant frameworks, in line with the Council’s green agenda.

To agree to engage with Inspired Energy PLC on an ongoing basis to help monitor, track and record the utility data for all Council assets, utilising the companies’ online cloud-based portal to track usage and spends across assets, and provide advice and support to the Council on energy reductions or identifiable usage trends. As well as an array of other services.

Reasons for decision:

South Ribble Borough Council’s previous utility procurement via YPO Framework has recently come to an end. This is an ideal time to not only procure utilities in a more cost-effective manner, with greater council control and insight into the suppliers being selected, and the type of utility procurement that suits the council’s needs; but also adapt and procure a service from a supplier that includes additional elements to support with the tracking and recording of utility usage across all sites.

Current operating practices means the council is unable to provide the necessary utility data and tracking information that will enable it to assess the success of key green agenda projects. Resources currently available to officers for tracking and recording purposes are not able to produce the reports and data necessary to adequately assess and track utility data.

Inspired Energy Plc will procure via a PCR compliant framework, as has been done in the past via YPO; but will provide so much more to the council in terms of bill validation, utility company liaison, and the tracking data available to the council to better understand the energy being used across assets.

Other options considered and rejected:

The choice to procure commodities via YPO framework on a fixed term basis has been considered and rejected.

Report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

To note the procurement strategy and evaluation criteria for the refurbishment works.

To delegate the award of the contract for the Green’s Dance School refurbishment scheme to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Property, Assets, Commercial Services and Major Developments)

Reasons for recommendations:

For the development of the South Ribble Family Wellbeing Centre this will make positive contributions to overcoming both challenges.

Other options considered and rejected:

Making no investment into the development of the South Ribble Family Wellbeing Centre. This option was rejected as a clear need for support for families was identified, and Finley’s Families/TippyToes Baby Bank have already supported over 3,000 families across South Ribble. Finley’s Families CIC need a base, and it is important to ensure that this is in South Ribble

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Property, Assets, Commercial Services and Major Developments) presented a report that outlined the procurement strategy and sought delegation for the contract award for the Greens Dance School Refurbishment.

The refurbishment would provide new facilities in the building making it safe and clean for residents. The tender is being undertaken through Chest and a budget had already been established for the project.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

To note the procurement strategy and evaluation criteria for the refurbishment works.

To delegate the award of the contract for the Green’s Dance School refurbishment scheme to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Property, Assets, Commercial Services and Major Developments)

Reasons for recommendations:

For the development of the South Ribble Family Wellbeing Centre this will make positive contributions to overcoming both challenges.

Other options considered and rejected:

Making no investment into the development of the South Ribble Family Wellbeing Centre. This option was rejected as a clear need for support for families was identified, and Finley’s Families/TippyToes Baby Bank have already supported over 3,000 families across South Ribble. Finley’s Families CIC need a base, and it is important to ensure that this is in South Ribble