Decision details

The Head of Procurement provided the Cabinet with a summary of the expenditure that was not on contract but was required in order to facilitate critical and timely support in respect of the Council’s corporate responsibilities to both its residents and workforce, in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic risks.

The officer spoke of the options made available to public sector organisations in March 2020, under the Regulation 32(2)(c) under the Public Contract Regulations 2015, to assist with the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Members’ attention was drawn to Section 5 of the report, which detailed the Council’s application of Regulation 32. The officer emphasised that the key priority was to ensure that all frontline staff (both Council staff and staff working for Council commissioned services) had sufficient PPE that met the required safety standards to protect its residents.

The Leader was happy to note the report and took the opportunity to thank the officers for the work undertaken through the pandemic and spoke of the vigorous checks of PPE to ensure the standards were met for the safety of staff and residents.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services was pleased to note that despite the urgency of the situation, officers maintained up to date records and noted that due diligence was undertaken to ensure product specification and certificates of conformity were met. The Cabinet Member was also pleased to note that the vast majority of contracts were met by either companies based within RCT or the surrounding regions, which supported the local economy. Upon concluding, the Cabinet Member echoed the Leader’s thanks to officers and commended staff and regional businesses for their innovation and stepping up to the challenge.

The Cabinet RESOLVED:

1.    To note that all procurement actions detailed within the report were undertaken to ensure that safety and wellbeing of our frontline staff; and

2.    To acknowledge that wherever possible, and appropriate supply is available and deliverable (option to collect) within sometimes very tight timescales, the Council has targeted the engagement of local businesses to fulfil its supply requirements.