Purpose

To seek approval to procure and award a contract for Housing Benefit Payment Assurance services.

Decision

That the Portfolio Holder for Resources:

1. 14.1       Authorises the Assistant Director - Finance, in consultation with the Head of Procurement and Head(s) of Legal Services, to progress with the procurement for HBAP audit services via a compliant process.

Reason: This will allow the Council to secure an appropriately qualified auditor to meet statutory requirements.

Subject to 14.1, the Portfolio Holder for Resources:

1. 14.2       Authorises the Assistant Director - Finance, in consultation with the Head of Procurement and Head(s) of Legal Services, to award contracts for HBAP audit services for the Council for a period of 4 years, with the option to extend the contract for two additional 12-month periods provided:

a)    It is within the budget set out in paragraph 10.2 of the report

OR:

b)    It is within the overall external audit budget detailed in paragraph 10.5 of the report.

Reason: To enable the award of the contracts with the minimum of delay