The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report.

DECISION

1.    Approve the contracting approach and procurement strategy for the Major Works contracts and Professional Technical Consultancy Services contracts that will deliver the Capital Investment Programme for Housing Management.

2.    Authorise the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration to enter into all contracts and associated agreements and documentation, in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member, to the winners of the various competitive exercises in accordance with this report

3.    Authorise that a special project team (Led by Procurement) is created to include feedback and inclusion of the Mayor and Lead Member for Housing to ensure effective qualitative criteria and evaluation of most advantages submissions is in place with support from Senior Executive officers, external legal, financial and commercial experts within the Council

Action by

CORPORATE DIRECTOR HOUSING AND REGENERATION (P. PATTERSON)

Divisional Director for Asset Management (M. Killeen)

The Mayor noted and agreed the reasons for urgency as set out in the report.

Councillor Kabir Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Inclusive Development and Housebuilding, introduced the report that sought authorisation to commence the procurement exercise leading to a fully compliant and commercial advantageous route to market for the HRA capital investment programme to ensure best value in future provision and provide for vigorous contract management procedures. Councillor Ahmed explained the existing contracting landscape that delivers the Housing Management Capital Investment programme.  He explained that a special project group would be set up to test assumptions, including, the current route to market considering the new regulations coming into force on 28^th October, the market appetite  for such deals, again in light of the advent of the Building Safely Act, the scoring methodology with specific attention being paid to the split between quality and price. It would also ensure the tender documents include the defined requirements for Social Value and the inclusion of Local Supply chain arrangements in the new contractual arrangements.

Officers provided further detail, explaining how the proposal represented a route to market that was efficient and effective and engagement elected members in the process.

The Mayor welcomed the report, his inclusion in the special project group, and asked that a suitable communication campaign be developed to explain the befits of this important investment to the wider community.

RESOLVED that the Mayor in Cabinet:

1. Approved the contracting approach and procurement strategy for the Major Works contracts and Professional Technical Consultancy Services contracts that will deliver the Capital Investment Programme for Housing Management.

2. Authorised the Corporate Director Housing and Regeneration to enter into all contracts and associated agreements and documentation, in consultation with the Mayor and Lead Member, to the winners of the various competitive exercises in accordance with this report

3. Authorised that a special project team (Led by Procurement) is created to include feedback and inclusion of the Mayor and Lead Member for Housing to ensure effective qualitative criteria and evaluation of most advantages submissions is in place with support from Senior Executive officers, external legal, financial and commercial experts within the Council.