(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 171/2017

(KEY DECISION)

Report No. 171/2017 from the Director for Places was received.

The Portfolio Holder, Mr Hemsley, introduced the report, the purpose of which was to ensure that the Council had in place the necessary capacity and capability to deliver the building control function required by statute.  The approvals requested would ensure that the contract could be placed with the minimum of delays.

During discussion the following points were raised:

      i.        Concern was raised that the decision recommendations were too complicated, and that final agreement would be under delegated authority.

    ii.        Members were advised that the building control function was a statutory service that the Council had to provide and that work had already taken place in preparation for the future provision of the service.

   iii.        The Chief Executive, Mrs Briggs, clarified that no building could be occupied without building control sign off. Council buildings used for social care purposes were required to adhere to additional regulations with regard to emergency planning; these controls were checked by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

   iv.        The Portfolio Holder, Mr Hemsley, confirmed that if the recommendations were approved he would refer any issues back to Cabinet, for a decision if he felt it was necessary.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Head of Property Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Trading Standards and Resources, the Director for Resources and Peterborough Legal Services to agree and finalise terms in respect of either a joint service provision (Option 3) or delegation of responsibility to another authority (Option 4) subject to the development of a viable business case.

2.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Head of Property Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Trading Standards and Resources, the Director for Resources and Peterborough Legal Services to agree and finalise the selection criteria for a new service provider and run a tender process to choose a preferred supplier, subject to acceptable tenders (Option 5).  This option would only be pursued if Options 3 and 4 were not viable but given timescales would run concurrent with other activities.

3.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Head of Property Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Trading Standards and Resources, the Director for Resources and Peterborough Legal Services the authority to extend the existing contract (Option 2) for up to three years if Options 3,4 or 5 were not viable or had not been finalised within the necessary timeframe.

4.    Cabinet AUTHORISED the Head of Property Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Growth, Trading Standards and Resources, the Director for Resources and Peterborough Legal Services to enter into a contract to pursue whichever option ultimately provided the best value for money for the Council.

Reasons for Decision

1.    The proposals set out in Report No. 171/2017 would ensure that the Council could move forward with the procurement of a building control service whilst ensuring that it was still able to pursue other options.

2.    The proposed delegations would ensure that RCC would be able  ...  view the full minutes text for item 275