Decisions

The Service Director Performance and Innovation submitted a report seeking approval for the procurement of an ICT technical skills licence, costing £18,000, with the UK’s leading ICT training provider QA to meet all the ICT technical training requirements up to April 2020.

Decision taken

The portfolio holder gave approval to procure the QA ICT technical skills licence via the G-Cloud 10 Procurement Framework, under the exemptions to contract procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Rules. This is on the grounds that exemptions are permitted to contract procedures where a framework is available that necessitates the council not having to go out to tender, and the goods, works and services will still provide the council with best value for money.

The Service Director People and Places submitted a report seeking approval for the allocation of S106 funds from a development at Carr Lane, Hambleton to improve public open space at Bob Williamson Park, Hambleton.

Decisions taken

That approval be given for the allocation of £15,920 to Bob Williamson Park and delegated authority be granted to the Service Director of People and Places to approve a scheme which will be delivered by Hambleton Parish Council.

That the Council’s 2018/19 Capital Budget be amended to include improvements to Bob Williamson Park using monies received by the Council via the S106 obligation related to planning permission 13/00600/FULMAJ.

The Service Director People and Places submitted a report seeking  approval to undertake studies to develop a business case for the Wyre Beach Management scheme using a preferred consultant and specialist researchers to undertake monitoring and consultation studies.

Decisions taken

That approval be given to undertake studies as approved by the Environment Agency (EA) in order to prepare a business case for the Wyre Beach Management Scheme to secure Flood Defence Grant in Aid funding for the design and construction of the scheme.

That approval be given for the Head of Engineering Services to enter into an agreement with Jacobs consultants to assist in the development of studies and a business case as outlined in the approved application to the EA. A direct appointment is proposed using the EA’s Water and Environmental Management framework.

That approval be given to allow for the appointment of consultants under the exemptions to Contract Procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Rules to appoint specialist researchers to undertake monitoring and consultation studies as detailed in the application to the EA on the grounds that the goods, works or services are of a specialised nature carried out by only one or a limited number of firms with no reasonably satisfactory alternatives available.

On 16 December 2016, Wyre Council’s Chief Executive, Service Directors and Head of Finance submitted a report asking the portfolio holders* to confirm the proposed fees and charges for the 2017/18 financial year and those being implemented with immediate effect thereby impacting on 2016/17.

Decision taken

The portfolio holders agreed that

·         the proposed fees and charges, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, for the financial year 2017/18 be approved.

·         the new fees for a building banner at Thornton Little Theatre, funeral receptions, table slips, stalls at the Food Festival and Christmas Markets and car boot pitches/ clothes rails at Marine Hall (para 5.2.1 of the report) be implemented with immediate effect.

·         the fees for any etched, coloured illustration, photo plaque or design works on cemetery memorials (para 5.2.2), fees for caravan rallies (para 5.2.3), fees for advice regarding the Flood Risk Sequential Indicator (para 5.4.1) and fees for the return of stray dogs or their euthanasia (para 5.6.2), are deleted with immediate effect. Stray dogs will be handled in future through the use of Fixed Penalty Notices or prosecution, dependent on circumstances.

·         the exemptions to pre application discussion fees for businesses planning to locate or relocate to the Enterprise Zone and small businesses who are Wyred Up members (para 5.4.1) be implemented with immediate effect.

·         the new fees for the use of land for a funfair on a non-operations day, estates cancellation and administration fees (para 5.4.4) be implemented with immediate effect.

·         the increase to Radar keys (para 5.6.1) be implemented with immediate effect.

On 9 February 2017, the Service Director People and Places submitted a report to the Resources Portfolio Holder asking for approval of the extension of the current bulky waste collection service agreement with Blackpool Council and Furniture Matters (Calico Enterprise Limited) for a minimum of 12 months.

Declaration of Interest

The Resources Portfolio Holder declared a non-pecuniary interest in the extension of the current bulky waste collection service agreement as he was the chairman of Refurb (Wyre & Fylde) Ltd and had no involvement with Furniture Matters (Calico Enterprise Limited).

Decision taken

The Resources Portfolio Holder gave his approval

·         to proceed under the exemption to Contract Procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Rules on the grounds that exceptions may apply where “goods, works or services constitute an extension or variation of an existing contract, or are required urgently, or the goods/materials, works or services consist of repairs to, or the supply of parts for, existing proprietary plant or equipment.”

·         to apply the extension to the current agreement for a minimum of 12 months (maximum 24 months) from 30 September 2017 as per the options in the original Agreement following the tender exercise in July 2012.

On 23 February 2017, the Service Director Performance and Innovation submitted a report to the Resources Portfolio Holder asking for his agreement to the engagement of NCF Systems Ltd as the preferred supplier/installer of the new sand filters at Garstang Swimming Pool.

Decision taken

The Resources Portfolio Holder gave his approval to proceed at a cost of £55,000 with the engagement of NCF Systems Ltd under the exemption to Contract Procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Rules on the grounds that exceptions may apply where “goods, works or services are of a specialised nature carried out by only one or a limited number of firms with no reasonably satisfactory alternatives available”.

On 23 February 2017, the Service Director People and Places submitted a report to the Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder seeking approval to develop and deliver restoration and improvement proposals for the restoration of the Mount, Fleetwood.

Decision taken

The Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder agreed that the Council enter the Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People programme development phase to submit a second-round application to fund the second phase of the restoration.

On 9 March 2017, the Service Director Performance and Innovation and the Service Director People and Places submitted a report seeking approval to invest in an MOT testing station within the transport section of the Copse Road Depot and establish relevant fees and charges.

Decision taken

The Resources Portfolio Holder gave approval to invest £52,115 for the required equipment and groundworks necessary to facilitate the development of an MOT test centre.

On 9 March 2017, the Service Director People and Places submitted a report requesting approval to develop a business case for Wyre Beach Management scheme using a preferred consultant.

Decision taken

The Neighbourhood Services Portfolio Holder gave approval to prepare and submit a business case for the Wyre Beach Management Scheme to the Environment Agency (EA) to secure funding for the design and construction of the scheme and to enter into an agreement with CH2M consultants to assist in the preparation of the business case.

The Resources Portfolio Holder provided approval for the appointment of consultants using the EA’s Water and Environmental Management framework under the exemptions to Contract Procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Rules on the grounds that exemptions many apply where “a framework agreement is available that necessitates the Council not having to go out to tender and the goods, works and services will still provide the Council with best value for money”.

On 9 March 2017, the Service Director Performance and Innovation submitted a report seeking approval for the purchase of new server and storage technologies so that the Council’s IT infrastructure is fit for purpose.

Decision taken

The Resources Portfolio Holder provided approval to proceed with the purchase of new server and storage technologies under the exemptions to Contract Procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial Procedure Rules on the grounds that exemptions many apply where “a framework agreement is available that necessitates the Council not having to go out to tender and the goods, works and services will still provide the Council with best value for money”.

On 9 March 2017, the Service Director People and Places submitted a report seeking approval for the continuation of the Lancashire Highway Street Services Agreement for a further two years with a review of the services provided prior to commencement of year two.

Decision taken

The Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces Portfolio Holder provided approval for the council to continue with the agreement to undertake all services currently provided as referred to under section 4.4 of the report for the financial year 2017-18 and for any changes to the agreement prior to commencement of year two to be the subject of a future report.

None.