Issue - meetings

Purpose:  This report sets out the options available for the supply and provision of agency and temporary workers following consideration of all of the options, and their relative benefits and risks. The proposals are based upon an analysis of spend and category data that is available to review the options for purchasing.

Resolved that:

(1)       The ESPO framework be used;

(2)       Delegated authority to be given to the Head of Commissioning (in consultation with the Head of Finance and Head of Legal) to enter into a call off contract 5to the successful managed service provider via mini competition.

This decision is eligible to be ‘called-in’.  However, if the decision has not been ‘called-in’ by 5.00pm on 2^nd August 2018, then it will be implemented.

The Executive considered a report (Agenda Item 7) which set out the options available for the supply and provision of agency and temporary workers following consideration of all of the options, and their relative benefits and risks. The proposals were based upon an analysis of spend and category data that was available to review the options for purchasing.

Councillor Anthony Chadley in introducing the report advised that agency spend was a necessity. Many of the roles were diverse and varied and some were specialised. The Council currently spent around £4m per annum on agency and temporary staff and therefore it was hoped that savings in the region of £150k per annum could be achieved. He thanked Councillor Alan Law for his continued encouragement to look at reducing the amount spent on agency staff.

Councillor Alan Macro explained that Councillor Jeff Brooks had been in the business of agency staffing for around 35 years and he believed that a £4m spend was comparatively low and that the Council would have difficulty in achieving savings. He would be keen to meet with Councillor Chadley to offer advice and discuss this issue. Councillor Chadley assured the Executive that the £4m figure quoted was correct and the saving was a safe estimate. Areas had been identified where it was thought that there had been an overspend and he was confident that the savings would be achieved. He would, however, be happy to meet with Councillor Brooks to discuss the issue.

Councillor Alan Macro asked how managers would be made aware that there was a framework in place. Councillor Alan Law advised that managers would only be able to procure temporary or agency staff through the framework and therefore they would have to use it.

RESOLVED that:

(a)       the ESPO framework be used; and

(b)       authority be delegated to the Head of Commissioning (in consultation with the Head of Finance and Head of Legal) to enter into a call off contract to the successful managed service provider via mini competition.

Other options considered: n/a