Issue - meetings

(To receive a report from the Executive Director – Commercial which seeks approval of the One Council Commissioning Framework, as set out in Appendix A)

That the One Council Commissioning Framework be re-presented to the meeting of the Executive on 2 June 2021 for final approval, taking into consideration the comments of Executive Councillors.

A report was presented to the Executive, which provided the draft One Council Commissioning Framework for consideration.  This Framework outlined the Council's definition of commissioning and its vision, aim and principles.  There had been extensive engagement with officers across the Council, and feedback from the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT) and senior members.

The Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had considered the report on 17 March 2021 and the Chairman of the Board presented the Board's comments to the Executive.  The Board recognised that the development of the workforce was a work in progress.  It was reported that the Board had thought that this was a very good piece of work but it would like to review it in around nine to 12 months to examine how it was operating.

Following discussion by the Executive, the following points were noted:

·         Commissioning was a big part of how the Council provided services, and there was a need to be providing contracts which were the best value for money, but also needed to be resident focused.

·         Concerns were raised around some of the language used in the document, and there was a need for a balance between using Lincolnshire based businesses and the cost-benefit.  The Executive was reassured that, in terms of supporting Lincolnshire businesses irrespective of price, the intention was not to routinely award to only Lincolnshire businesses.  The principle was to give consideration to Lincolnshire businesses, and ensure that they understood how to tender for the contracts.

·         Clarification was sought regarding where the additional resources for the Commissioning Hub would come from and the Executive was advised that the staff required would come from relocating existing staff within the Council, it was not expected that these would be additional posts, but further analysis was needed.

·         It was considered positive that the Framework was championing Lincolnshire, and giving local businesses the opportunity to bid for contracts.  It was noted that this was something that councillors were often asked about.

·         Some valid points had been raised, and there were some good points in the document and some that could be improved.  The aim of the Council was to provide the best possible services to the people of Lincolnshire in the most cost effective way.

RESOLVED

That the One Council Commissioning Framework be re-presented to the meeting of the Executive on 2 June 2021 for final approval, taking into consideration the comments of Executive Councillors.