Decision details

Having complied with the requirements of Paragraph 15 (General Exception) of the Access to Information Procedure Rules, it is recommended that:

(i)  Subject to meeting Learning and Skills Council (LSC) timescales for funding, to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services and Learning, following consultation with the Executive Director of Resources, the Solicitor to the Council and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Learning, to undertake all aspects of the procurement of the sixth form facility, including award of contract, in accordance with contract procedure rules. 

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Solicitor to the Council and the Executive Director of Resources to do anything necessary to complete the procurement and contract award or otherwise give effect to the procurement of the sixth form facility including but not limited to entering into funding agreements, contracts, licenses and any other legal or financial documentation required as long as the scheme remains within the previously agreed time, cost and quality parameters.

This report is submitted for consideration as a General Exception under paragraph 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, notice having been given to the Chair and Vice Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and the Public.  The matter requires a decision in order to comply with the programme for contract sealing set by the Learning and Skills Council as funder of the project.

To not seek approval now to undertake procurement and enter into a contract would result in non compliance with the timescale imposed by the LSC as funding body and the likelihood of losing the funding for the project.