Content

Decision:
Service Level Agreement relating to the delivery of ecological services to
Exeter City Council by Dorset Council’s Natural Environment Team 

 

This SLA is entered into as a horizontal cooperation
agreement between Dorset Council and Exeter City Council under Schedule 2(3) of
the Procurement Act 2023. The arrangement supports the discharge of shared
statutory public functions in the field of ecology and development management.
The agreement runs until 16 July 2026 unless terminated or extended in
accordance with the terms of the agreement.   

 

The
services provided by Dorset Council’s Natural Environment Team are delivered on
a cost recovery basis. This amounts to a fixed charge of £52,083 payable by
Exeter City Council to Dorset Council. 

 

Under the
provisions of the scheme of delegation in Dorset Council’s Constitution, the
Executive Director for Place the following delegated authority: 

 

40. To enter into an agreement with any voluntary agency,
charity or public sector organisation, where the Council has or is proposing to
offer financial and/or other assistance to that body. 

 

I can
confirm that under the Local Scheme of Nomination for Planning, I have
delegated authority to perform this function. 

 

Reasons for the decision

In the
public interest of promoting sustainable development and optimizing the
financial self-sufficiency of the NET team to maintain expert ecological
advice, which is to the benefit of Dorset Council. 

Alternative options considered

Not
offering the service would be an option but this would diminish an income
stream for the team and undermine the ability to retain ecological expertise
within Dorset Council.