Purpose

Cabinet is required to approve all key decisions with financial consequences of £500k or more. It is good governance to provide Cabinet with a summary of all proposed procurement, that individually were estimated to be a total value of £500k or more, prior to procurement procedures formally commencing.

Decision

Cabinet agreed

(a)           To delegate authority to the relevant Cabinet Member, after consultation with the relevant Executive Director or Director, to:

(b)           To begin each of the procurement procedures (or variation) listed in Appendix 1 of the report of 19 May 2026 (subject to an approved and available budget); and

(c)           Final procurement documentation developed within the broad scope set out in the procurement briefing notes (available on request); and

(d)           Contract award (via a recommendation to award report / Executive Decision as appropriate) provided the tender outcome is within + 5% of the budget agreed with Finance when each project begins subject to agreement of the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Cabinet member for Resources & Finance.

(e)           To support continued early engagement with Commercial & Procurement for higher‑value and higher‑risk activity. Cabinet endorsed the use of the pipeline as a key governance and assurance tool.

Reason for the decision

Delegation supported timely, well‑planned and compliant procurement by improving visibility, prioritisation and resource use, while strengthening audit assurance and allowing significant matters to be escalated to Cabinet.

To ensure compliance with: Procurement Act 2023 and Dorset Council Contract Procedure Rules.