Agenda item

(a)  Noted the report and the savings required in 2023/24 against FM budgets.

(b)  Approved the recommended service delivery model to transition from an external service provider to a new mixed in-house and contracted out model.

(c)  Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Housing & Property in consultation with the lead member for Leisure, Culture & Community Empowerment to:

(i)  Decommission the Bouygues contract including transfer of staff back to the Council where required.

(ii)  Procure and award contracts to specialist contractors (e.g., lifts, air conditioning) ensuring that local, SME and other suppliers have the opportunity to compete.

The Cabinet considered a report on the facilities management services for the Council’s corporate assets.

It was noted that Bouygues, the Council’s facilities management contractor had for some time been in dispute with the Council and they had triggered the contractual adjudication process to terminate the contract on grounds of non-payment of invoices.  Instead of contesting the potentially expensive and resource intensive adjudication proceedings with no guarantee of a good outcome for the Council, Officers had decided it was best to end the contract by mutual agreement.  An agreed termination with three months' notice, allowing time to put alternative arrangements in place was implemented.  The report sought approval to implement a replacement model to deliver facilities management services to corporate buildings through a mixture of direct staff employment and direct contracting.

The Cabinet agreed that the approach taken to agree a termination was in the best interests of the Council and the recommended service delivery model as set out in the report was approved.

Resolved –

(a)  That the report and the savings required in 2023/24 against FM budgets be noted.

(b)  That the recommended service delivery model to transition from an external service provider to a new mixed in-house and contracted out model be approved.

(c)  That delegated authority be given to the Executive Director of Housing & Property in consultation with the lead member for Leisure, Culture & Community Empowerment to:

(i)  Decommission the Bouygues contract including transfer of staff back to the Council where required.

(ii)  Procure and award contracts to specialist contractors (e.g., lifts, air conditioning) ensuring that local, SME and other suppliers have the opportunity to compete.