Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on progress in developing a universal approach to competition at the Council and asks the Executive to consider and comment on the scope and content of a draft Competition Policy, for approval by Full Council in due course.

RESOLVED: (i)         That the work now on-going to develop a Competition Strategy and accompanying Competition Handbook at the Council, further to the adoption of the Corporate Procurement Strategy in May 2007, be noted.

REASON:      To remain informed on progress in developing robust competition and procurement arrangements at the Council.

                        (ii)        That the draft policy set out in Annex A to the report be approved in principle, subject to any changes required and adoption by Full Council in due course.

REASON:      To allow Officers to progress detailed work on the Competition Strategy in the context of an agreed policy framework for competition at the authority.

Members considered a report which provided an update on progress towards developing a universal approach to competition at the Council and sought the Executive’s comments on the scope and content of a draft Competition Policy.

The Council had adopted a new Corporate Procurement Strategy (CPS) in May 2007.  It had been agreed at that time that a separate competition policy and strategy framework be developed detailing how the Council would determine ‘make or buy’ decisions in the first instance.  Work was now ongoing to develop a draft Competition Strategy, to be brought to the Executive for discussion in the next few months.  In advance of this, a draft Competition Policy had been prepared for consideration and comment. 

Members were asked to give in-principle agreement at this stage to the overall scope and purpose of the Policy, as this was considered crucial to informing ongoing work to develop the Competition Strategy and Competition Handbook. 

Having considered the advice of the Shadow Executive, it was

RESOLVED: (i)         That the work now on-going to develop a Competition Strategy and accompanying Competition Handbook at the Council, further to the adoption of the Corporate Procurement Strategy in May 2007, be noted.

REASON:      To remain informed on progress in developing robust competition and procurement arrangements at the Council.

                        (ii)        That the draft policy set out in Annex A to the report be approved in principle, subject to any changes required and adoption by Full Council in due course.

REASON:      To allow Officers to progress detailed work on the Competition Strategy in the context of an agreed policy framework for competition at the authority.