Archived decisions

1

Summary

1.1

The Code of Practice Relating to Contracts requires the Chief Officer to submit an annual report to the Authority giving details of proposed contracts for goods and services where each contract value is likely to exceed £50,000. The Authority may, on presentation of this report, vary or exclude the operation of any of the Authority's Standing Orders or the Code of Practice.

1.2

This report lists the contracts proposed to be let and details of the contracts awarded last year. All proposed contracts are funded either from the approved capital programme or specific revenue budgets.

2

Recommendation

2.1

That the committee approves the change from July to April for the annual presentation of the Code of Practice report commencing in April 2008. (Para 3.1)

3

Introduction

3.1

This report has previously been presented to the July meeting when some of the contracts have already been awarded. For the future it is proposed to bring this report to the April meeting commencing in April 2008 to ensure that any tendering decisions or variations to Standing Orders or the Code of Practice can be made in advance. In anticipation the proposed contracts for 2006/07 and 2007/08 are listed below.

4

Proposed Contracts 2006/07

4.1

7 Frontline fire appliances

4.2

1 Special equipment unit

4.3

Headquarters development phase 2 (Workshops)

4.4

Replacement of station end equipment for the Firelink project

4.5

Telephone equipment replacement to enable Voice over internet protocol (Voice over IP)

4.6

LGV Driver Training

4.7

Tablet PC's for CFRMIS mobile working

5

Proposed Contracts 2007/08

5.1

7 Frontline fire appliances

5.2

1 Aerial appliance

5.3

Cosham Fire Station

5.4

Insurance

5.4.1

The Firebuy Alternative Risk Transfer (ART) best value review of English Fire and Rescue Authorities insurance arrangements has demonstrated that significant savings could be achieved by the English fire and rescue authorities forming a Guaranteed Mutual Insurance Company (see ART report).

5.4.2

The Mutual Company will be formed on 1 July 2007 and it is proposed to join on that date. Our current insurance arrangements cease on 31 March 2007 so it will be necessary to make arrangements to extend cover with the existing providers until the start of the new contract.

6

Tenders Awarded

Actual Cost

£'000s

6.1

HQ and Training Centre Scheme phase 1 contract awarded to

Brazier Construction Ltd

2,954

6.2

7 Frontline fire appliances contract awarded to Emergency One

934

6.3

IT Network Expansion. Tender awarded to Synetrix

685

7

Contribution to corporate aims and objectives

7.1

Letting compliant contracts in accordance with Financial Regulations, Codes of Practice and the National Procurement Strategy ensures best value in the use of resources.

8

Risk Analysis

8.1

We need to ensure compliance with EU procurement legislation and demonstrate best value in procurement in accordance with the National Procurement Strategy.

9

Resource implications

9.1

Human resources

None

9.2

Physical resources

None

9.3

Information and Communications Technology resources

None

9.4

Financial implications

9.4.1

The Firebuy ART review identified minimum savings of 15% are achievable by placing our insurance portfolio with the Guaranteed Mutual. Over the first 5 years the savings projections are:

Start of Underwriting Year

Premium Savings

Share of Surplus

Total

Savings

1^st July 2007

86,141

12.9%

86,141

1^st July 2008

89,141

10.8%

89,141

1^st July 2009

92,255

10.8%

108,108

1^st July 2010

95,489

10.4%

141,358

1^st July 2011

98,846

10.4%

171,776

596,523

10

Equality Impact Assessment

10.1

The proposals within this report are considered compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Human Rights Act 1998, and the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

11

Consultation

Not Applicable

12

Conclusion

12.1

Committee approvals for the aware of contracts should be given in advance. In order to facilitate this the report listing the proposed contracts needs to be presented to the April meeting instead of July. To enable this change to take place this report details the contracts over £50,000 that are proposed to be let during 2006/07 and 2007/08. The next report will be presented in April 2008 and annually thereafter.

Background information (Section 100D of Local Government Act 1972)

The following documents disclose the facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of the report:

ART Report

Code of Practice on Contracts

Note: The list excludes: (1) published works; and (2) documents that disclose exempt or confidential information defined in the Act.