The report proposes that the Executive approves the appointment of the successful bidder to enter into a partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council for the provision of legal services.

1.      That the outcome of the selection process for a provider of a legal shared service be noted.

2.      That the provider shown as the winning tender, as set out in the exempt report, be approved as the preferred provider and request the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to seek to agree Heads of Terms to establish the Legal Services shared service with the winning provider whilst also ensuring that the interests of Central Bedfordshire Council are protected, and thereafter, if satisfactory, to enter into a formal agreement.

3.      That the intention to discuss the proposed arrangements with the Council’s external auditors before being finalised, be noted.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that sought approval of the preferred legal shared service provider, following the selection process.  Three bidders had been invited to submit proposals, which had been rigorously evaluated.  The bids had been assessed using the criteria of 40% price (or savings) and 40% quality as well as 20% staff welfare.

The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee would monitor the implementation of savings over 2016/17.

The Executive Member proposed a revised recommendation 2 and a new recommendation, this was duly seconded:-

“2.     That the provider shown as the winning tender, as set out in the exempt report, be approved as the preferred provider and request the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to seek to agree Heads of Terms to establish the Legal Services shared service with the winning provider whilst also ensuring that the interests of Central Bedfordshire Council are protected, and thereafter, if satisfactory, to enter into a formal agreement.

3.      That the intention to discuss the proposed arrangements with the Council’s external auditors before being finalised, be noted.”

The Executive Member and Chief Executive explained that the Council had received notification that the National Audit Office had received a complaint through the whisleblowing procedure.  The Council’s external auditors would now investigate this.     

Reason for decision:  To appoint a legal service provider, as a partner to Central Bedfordshire Council, for the provision of legal services to enable the Council to deliver the financial savings without impacting upon service levels.

RESOLVED

1.      that the outcome of the selection process for a provider of a legal shared service be noted;

2.      that the provider shown as the winning tender, as set out in the exempt report, be approved as the preferred provider and request the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to seek to agree Heads of Terms to establish the Legal Services shared service with the winning provider whilst also ensuring that the interests of Central Bedfordshire Council are protected, and thereafter, if satisfactory, to enter into a formal agreement; and

3.      that the intention to discuss the proposed arrangements with the Council’s external auditors before being finalised, be noted.

[Note that Mr Q Baker, Monitoring Officer was not present during this item.]