At its meeting on 3 July 2009 the Fire Authority approved the use of Telford & Wrekin Borough Council's Contract Procedure Rules in the procurement of a contractor to carry out the refurbishment of Shrewsbury Station. Since then the Council's officers have been managing the tender process in accordance with those Rules on behalf of the Fire Authority.
Under the Rules, tenders over £500,000, which are covered by an approved capital budget, may be accepted by the appropriate Head of Service, following consultation with the Leader/Deputy Leader (Cabinet), or Chairman/Vice-Chairman (Board/Committee) and the acceptance must be reported to the next meeting of the appropriate Cabinet, Committee or Board for information.
The Rules also state that the tender accepted should be in the Council's best interests.
In order to comply as far as is possible with the above rules it is recommended that the Fire Authority agree to delegate authority to the Chief Fire Officer and Treasurer to accept the tender, which is in the Authority’s best interests, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of the Authority. Once the decision had been made it would be reported to the next meeting of the full Authority. Members are asked to consider and decide upon this recommendation.
