CAMBRIDGE CITY COUNCIL

 

To: Councillors C Rosenstiel (Chair), Adey, Boyce,

Durrant, Hart, R Smith, Stebbings and Ward

Alternate member:  Councillor Reid

 

 

 

CIVIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

 

Date:           Wednesday 26th November 2003

Time:          6.00 pm

Place:         Committee Room 1, The Guildhall

 

Contact:       Julia Harvey, Committee Manager. Telephone  (01223) 457086 or E-mail Julia.Harvey@cambridge.gov.uk

 

 

AGENDA

 

  1. APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence (if any)

 

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members are asked to declare at this stage any interests which they may have in any of the following items on the agenda. If any Member is unsure whether or not they should declare an interest on a particular matter, they are requested to seek advice from the Head of Legal and Democratic Services before the meeting.

 

  1. MINUTES

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 17th September and 29th October 2003 (attached).

 

  1. REPORT BY THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL – NOVEMBER 2003

 

  1. MEMBER OVERSIGHT OF PROCUREMENT ISSUES

One of the outcomes of the pathfinder Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) which the Council undertook last year was the identification of a lack of capacity in the area of procurement. This is an area which is assuming increasing importance, both nationally and locally.

Nationally, there have been several recent reports which stress that local authorities generally need to “sharpen up” in their procurement strategies and practices, in order to secure best value and effective methods of service delivery. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister issued a major report last month: “ A National Procurement Strategy for Local Government”. This contains detailed recommendations and milestones which the Council will need to implement.

 

One of the recommendations is that councils should identify “procurement champions” on the executive and the corporate management team. So far as the officer champion is concerned, the Chief Executive will fulfil this role, at least initially.

 

At member level, the recommendation is to add this to the Deputy Leader’s portfolio.

 

The Committee is therefore asked to recommend full Council to amend the Constitution by adding to the Terms of Reference of the Deputy Leader (on page 51 of the Constitution):

 

"To exercise executive functions in relation to, and have oversight of, the Council's procurement strategy, policies and processes (oversight of individual procurement exercises will remain with the portfolio-holder for the relevant service area)".

 

 

6.       DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting for Civic Affairs Committee is scheduled for Wednesday 28th January 2004 at 6.00 pm.

        

 

 

 

Information for the public

 

You are welcome to attend this meeting as an observer.

 

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You can ask questions on an issue included on this agenda, or on an issue which is within this Committee’s powers. If you wish to ask a question related to an agenda item contact the committee officer (listed above under ‘contact’) before the meeting starts.  If you wish to ask a question on a matter not included on this agenda, please contact the committee officer by 10.00am the working day before the meeting.  Further details  concerning the right to speak at committee can be obtained from the committee section.

 

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In the event of the fire alarm sounding  (which is a continuous ringing sound), you should pick up your possessions and leave the building by the route you came in. Once clear of the building, you should assemble on the pavement opposite the main entrance to the Guildhall and await further instructions. If your escape route or the assembly area is unsafe, you will be directed to safe areas by a member of Cambridge City Council staff.

 

 

 

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