The report provides an update to the General Purposes Committee on the Contract Procedure Rules, Waivers and Procurement Spend for the period April 2021 to March 2022. It also includes an update on Procurement Services and the implementation of the new procurement function.

Members received the report which provided an update to the General Purposes Committee on the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs), Waivers and Procurement Spend.  The report covered the period April 2021 to March 2022.  It also included an update on Procurement Services and the implementation of the new procurement function.

The Head of Policy and Contract Development advised Members that Brexit and the Ukrainian conflict had impacted on the supply chain with delays and shortages of some materials.  A significant increase had been experienced in costs in construction, which had an impact on the Council’s regeneration projects.  Procurement Services was working with services to strengthen business continuity plans to mitigate risks to the supply chain.  There were, however, no direct contracts with Russia.

Officers explained that there were occasions where it was not practical or possible to follow a full competitive process in accordance with the CPRs.  In such instances Service Departments may request a Waiver or Exception to the CPRs.  The approval of such Waivers and Exceptions were compliant with the CPRs. 

The July 2020 CPRs had been tightened up and now stated that all Waivers must be approved by the Executive Director of Resources following review by Procurement Services.  Exceptions are reported to the Executive Director of Resources on a quarterly basis.  Waivers could not contravene UK legislation.

AGREED that the update on the implementation and effectiveness of the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs), Waivers issued under the Rules, and procurement spend information.  It also includes an update on Procurement Services.