Issue - meetings

The Committee heard from the Director of Finance and Assets (S151 Officer) who presented a list of procurement exceptions granted under delegation between 1 October 2024 and 30 September 2025. It was explained that when procuring and extending contracts, the Council’s contract procedure rules set out how this should be done, however, there were rare circumstances where following the procedure rules was not practical or possible. Therefore, depending on the value of a contract, either Committee, Management Team or the Section 151 Officer, could exempt the procurement from the Contract Procedure Rules, allowing for a direct award of choice. It was highlighted that this process should only be by exception rather than rule and a report must be compiled for approval. The Governance and Audit Committee was requested to review the report and note the exemptions made under delegations provided within the Council’s constitution.

Members examined the details of the procurement exceptions and enquired as to the specific circumstances. Officers provided additional information and reiterated the requirements of a direct award.

Having reviewed the details, the procurement exemptions made under delegations provided within the Council’s constitution were DULY NOTED.