Agenda item

            The Committee considered the following report:

“1.0     Purpose of Report/Summary of Main Issues

1.1       The Council’s Physical Programme currently includes 170 capital projects with investment of £150m+ via a range of internal and external funding streams, together with projects which the Council delivers on behalf of external agencies. This report requests agreement on implementation of procurement processes in relation to the Capital Programme (Fleet Programme) and non-recurrent programme.

2.0       Recommendations

2.1       The Committee is asked to:

                                       i          agree that the necessary procurement processes are initiated for the agreed Fleet Programme for 2021/22 and 2022/23, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver;

                                     ii          agree that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated for any non-recurrent projects for 2021/22 and non-recurrent projects under re-allocated reserves as required, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver; and

                                   iii          note that the Leisure Transformation Programme has been shortlisted for an international award for ‘Social project of the year’ by the Association of Project Management with the winner to be announced in November.

3.0       Main Report

            Key Issues

3.1       Capital Programme - Fleet Programme 2021/22 and 2022/23

            Members will know that the Council needs to run and maintain a substantial fleet in order to deliver its services. There is a rolling allocation of £2.2m towards the Fleet Programme for 2021/22 and £2.2m for 2022/23 under the Capital Programme at Stage 3. Members are asked to note that the Fleet Programme has been developed in conjunction with Council departments and reflects the service needs of the organisation. Members are asked to note that there are ongoing issues caused by the high age profile and condition of the fleet operating well beyond its recommended operational life cycle.  Members are asked to note the agreed Fleet Programme for 2021/22 and 2022/23 and agree that the necessary procurement processes are initiated, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

            Non-recurrent projects 2021/22 and non-recurrent re-allocation funding

3.2       Members will be aware that the incremental nature of the capital programme allows the Council the opportunity to allocate an element of the 2021/22 capital financing budget to finance a number of one-off (non-recurrent) projects within year. It is recommended that this is focused on progressing projects which the Council is required to take forward either from a health and safety perspective and/or a legislative perspective.Members will also recall their decision in June 2021 to re-allocate the year-end surplus for 2020/21 to progress emerging projects and essential projects which did not have a recurring budget. These projects are now being developed. This included additional funding towards fleet.  Members are asked to agree that necessary procurement processes (including the invitation of tenders and/or the use of appropriate ‘framework’ arrangements) be initiated for any non-recurrent projects for 2021/22 and non-recurrent projects under re-allocated reserves as required, with contracts to be awarded on the basis of most economically advantageous tenders received and full commitment to deliver.

            Leisure Transformation Programme – Finalist, APM Project Management Awards 2021

3.3       The Leisure Transformation Programme has been shortlisted in the international APM (Association of Project Management) Awards 2021 in the category: ‘Social project of the year’. The category recognises teams whose project demonstrates the most effective use of project management and the greatest benefits and outcomes to end users and communities in projects seeking to address the concerns of 21st century society globally. The winner will be announced on 15 November 2021 at an awards ceremony in London.

3.4       Members are asked to note that the Physical Programmes Department is happy to arrange site visits for Members/ Party Groups to any capital project, with appropriate arrangements in place as required under latest Covid-19 guidance. 

            Financial and Resource Implications

3.5       Financial – Fleet Replacement Programme– as above

            Resources – Officer time to deliver as required

            Equality or Good Relations Implications/ Rural Needs Assessment

3.6       All capital projects are screened as part of the stage approval process.”

            The Committee adopted the recommendations.