Policy & Resources Cabinet Member – Minutes – 4 November 2014

156      (29)  VIREMENTS 2014-15 The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report which sought approval for changes to the revenue and capital budgets for 2014/15.

On 25 February 2014 Council approved the revenue and capital budgets for the 2014/15 financial year respectively.  The report gave details of virements approved by the Director of Policy and Resources under delegated powers and those that required Cabinet Member approval.

Resolved – (a) That the virements at paragraph 3.1 of the report, approved by the Director of Policy and Resources under delegated powers be noted, and (b) that the permanent virements outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the report be approved.

157      (30)  CONSULTANCY USAGE: QUARTER 2 2014/2015 –  The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report to advise on the consultancy usage for the second quarter of 2014/2015, to highlight the consultancy usage to support major projects within North Lincolnshire and to advise on the overall effectiveness.

The protocol for managing consultancy was introduced as part of a package of cost management measures in 2011. The protocol required services to report their use of consultants on a quarterly basis. This reporting requirement was formally adopted as part of the council’s updated contract procedure rules in May 2012. 

It was widely recognised that the provision of specialist expert advice was essential for the successful delivery of major projects and effective management of potentially high cost risk exposure. Examples of major council projects requiring specialist advice included:

–               Building Schools for the Future

–               University Technical College (UTC)

–               Waste Treatment

–               Capital Programme

For the purpose of this report the term “consultancy” was used to describe the procurement of highly specialised subject matter expertise which the council did not possess in-house or where an independent opinion was required. Examples included specialist environmental surveys, technical analysis and advice on essential legal requirements such as Construction Design and Management (CDM) regulation compliance.

Resolved That the findings set out in the report for Quarter 22014/15 be noted.

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Where there is no report this is because it is exempt, as it contains information which is considered to be of a confidential nature, as detailed in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act.