Issue - meetings

(Environment Portfolio Holder) To consider the attached report (C-061-2009/10).

That, in respect of work awarded to Green Forest Environmental Services Ltd,  Contract Standing Orders C1(10), C4(2) and C5 be retrospectively waived.

The Environment Portfolio Holder introduced a report on breaches of Contract Standing Orders arising from the issuing of separate but multiple orders to Green Forest Environmental Services Limited over the period June 2007 to September 2009. The total expenditure involved had been approximately £100,000 over the two- year period.

The Portfolio Holder emphasised that all but one of the orders had been less than £10,000 with just three others exceeding £5,000 in value. The remainder were of a low value but the serial nature of the ordering had led to a significant breach of a number of Contract Standing Orders. Although Officers had clarified that the rates being employed were reasonable and indeed less than other available contractors, a formal tendering exercise had not been undertaken to clearly establish this position. This oversight was almost entirely due to the significant work pressures within the Directorate during this two year period, which had also included dealing with the aftermath of South Herts Waste Management’s receivership and the novation of the contract to Cory Environmental, developing and letting a new contract, implementing that new contract and  the recent introduction of the revised waste management service.

Decision:

That, in respect of work awarded to Green Forest Environmental Services Ltd,  Contract Standing Orders C1(10), C4(2) and C5 be retrospectively waived.

Reasons for Decision:

To comply with the Council’s Financial Regulations, and in particular Contract Standing Orders.

Other Options Considered and Rejected:

There were no alternative actions available.