The Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee were scheduled to discuss a new project procedure, the Pan-London Sexual Health E-service, and the Responsible Procurement Impact Report for FY24-25. Deputy Benjamin Murphy, (Chairman) of the committee, was to preside over the meeting. The meeting was scheduled to be held virtually and was open to the public.

New Project Procedure / P3 Framework

The Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee were scheduled to consider a report on a new framework to address issues in the governance and delivery of projects and programmes. The proposed changes respond to a governance review by Lord Lisvane¹ and assessments by external consultants. The report states that these reviews found inconsistent practices, slow decision-making, and insufficient visibility for Members.

To reflect the direction of travel for the City Corporation, the project procedure was scheduled to be renamed the Project, Programme, Portfolio (P3) Framework. The revised P3 Framework was scheduled to bring all project types, including capital, transformation, and innovation, under a single framework. A new tiering system was scheduled to focus Member scrutiny on higher-value and higher-risk projects, engaging Members at strategic points of decision-making, while lower value projects and programmes would benefit from streamlined governance. The gateway process was scheduled to be streamlined into five strategic stages, with a greater emphasis on early alignment with Corporate Plan outcomes, climate action, social value, and return on investment.

The report stated that the development of the new framework has been shaped through extensive consultation with project managers, directors, and senior officers from across the City Corporation and the institutions. A Guiding Coalition, including representatives from various departments, has guided the design, and the City of London Corporation Portfolio Board endorsed the changes on 13 May 2025.

Implementation was scheduled to occur in two phases. Phase one, which launched in April 2025, involved the launch of the Cora enterprise-wide project portfolio management system and the introduction of new portfolio reporting. The implementation of the new P3 Framework was proposed as part of the second phase, scheduled to launch in November 2025.

The Sub-Committee were asked to:

• Approve the new P3 Framework, including:
  • Approve the new project gateways
  • Approve the increase of delegated authority to £5 million for Chief Officers
  • Approve the increase of the threshold for Court of Common Council to receive gateway submissions to £20 million
  • Note the increase to £250,000 threshold for entering the gateway process
  • Approve that once a Red project approves a rebaselined plan with the Service Committee and Project and Procurement Sub-Committee, it can then proceed as a Green project
  • Approve the SRO of a project or programme to have delegated authority to draw down against the agreed costed risk profile
• Expand the use of optimism bias with the established 'optimism bias' reserve to be authorised from the Service Committee and Finance Committee
• Note that the new P3 Framework will take effect at a launch event on 25 November 2025
• Approve that further updates can be made to the P3 Framework with approval from CoL Portfolio Board with Members approving changes to the delegation levels
• Authorise the Chamberlain to make the necessary amendments to other documentation i.e. the Corporation's Financial Regulations and the Procurement Code in order to align these documents with the Framework.

Pan-London Sexual Health E-Service (SHL.UK)

The Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee were scheduled to consider a joint report from the Director of Community & Children's Services and the Chamberlain regarding the Pan-London Sexual Health E-Service (SHL.UK). The report notes that local authorities are obliged, by the Health and Social Care Act 2012², to provide open access sexual health services, including STI testing, treatment, and contraception.

The existing SHL.UK service was described in the report as a public health success story, providing a discreet, convenient, and cost-effective online platform. The existing service contract expires in August 2026, and a second iteration of SHL.UK is required to replace it.

The report stated that the new service will be required to provide enhanced communication, use inclusive imagery, and provide awareness training for other organisations who work with key communities. Specific changes to service requirements include making contraception a core service, exploring multi-lingual support, and improving result communication. The new service also aims to lower the minimum age for access and increase testing kit limits to better meet the needs of the population.

The successor service is set to commence in August 2026 with an initial term of 5 years, until 2031, with an option for two additional extensions of 2 years each, potentially extending the contract to August 2035. The estimated contract value is £235 million over 9 years, with annual costs rising from £22 million to £29 million.

The Sub-Committee were asked to endorse the procurement to Court of Common Council for the replacement E-services contract, due to commence on 15 August 2026.

Responsible Procurement Impact Report FY24-25

The Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee were scheduled to consider a report regarding the Responsible Procurement Impact Report for FY24-25. The report stated that the City of London Corporation recognises its responsibility to deliver value through every pound spent. The report holds the council and its supply chain partners accountable, measuring success against the commitments in the Responsible Procurement Policy.

The report was scheduled to publicly recognise suppliers who have fulfilled their commitments and showcase 'what good looks like' to the City Corporation. The report contains 28 impact statistics and 11 supplier spotlights, 14 of which feature SMEs.

The Sub-Committee were asked to approve the publication of the Responsible Procurement Impact Report 2024-25 on the council's external website.