Issue - meetings

To seek agreement to delegate authority to the strategic director of children’s services for the approval of the contract award as detailed in the report.

This item had not been circulated 5 clear days in advance of the meeting. The chair agreed to accept the item as urgent because the submission programme had been agreed with Partnerships for Schools to enable financial close at the end of July and this programme included the date of the 15June 2010 for the cabinet decision to delegate the contract award.  Confirmation of delegation by cabinet to enter into contracts is a key document within the future business case.

Also a delay to financial close would also have significant financial and reputational implications.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the cabinet recommends that the leader of the council  delegate approval to the cabinet member for children’s services or the strategic director of children’s services, whichever is the most expedient, to approve the contract award for the contracts set out in table 1 of the report, subject to:

·  confirmation of funding from Partnerships for Schools;

·  the council’s financial contribution being within the parameters set out in the closed version of the report. 

·  advice from the finance director and strategic director of communities, law and governance and consultation with the cabinet member for children’s services.

2.  That the cabinet recommends that the leader of the council delegate approval to the cabinet member for children’s services or the strategic director of children’s services, whichever is the most expedient, to enter into the agreements with the school’s governing bodies as set out in table 2 of the report in regard to the management of the construction phase and ongoing revenue commitments to support facilities management and the information and communication technology (ICT) managed service.