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RESOLVED
 
(i)    To note
the expiry of the existing LASER framework agreement on 30
September 2024.
 
(ii)   To note that a new LASER framework agreement will
be put in place for a four year period
from 1 October 2024 to 30 September 2028.
 
(iii) To approve that the
Council (a) accesses, and, (b) calls off from (contracts with any
of the listed suppliers in the framework agreement for the supply
of electricity and gas to the Council )
the new LASER framework agreement.
 
(iv) To delegate
authority to the Director of Resources, in consultation with the
Cabinet Member for Local Economy and Place, to complete all
necessary legal documentation to give effect to the recommendation
above-noted.
 
REASON
 
(i)    To allow
the Council to access and call off from the new LASER Framework
Agreement.
 
(ii)   To delegate authority to the relevant Director and
Cabinet Member to complete all legal documentation required to give
effect to the recommendations contained in this report.
 
(iii) LASER benchmarks
its purchasing performance each year and shares this information
with its customers. This benchmarking exercise indicates that LASER
has been able to deliver prices to customers up to 50% below the
market average over the last 4 years
 
(iv) Government policy
recommends that to spread market risk, and avoid buying during
periods of peak market pricing, “all public sector
organisations adopt aggregated, flexible and risk-managed energy
procurement” as provided under the LASER framework.
 
(v)   LASER offers full flexibility to secure energy in
line with the Council’s policy to reduce its carbon
footprint.