Purpose

This report seeks approval to take-up the
option within the current contract for a further 12 months with
Global Payments for the supply of card payment processing services
for the period from 1 August 2025 until 31 July 2026.

Decision

For the reasons set out in the report, the
Corporate Director has decided to –
Exercise the option to extend the
Council’s existing contract with GPUK LLP t/a Global Payments
for the supply of card payment processing services for a period of
one year from 1 August 2025 until 31 July 2026

Alternative options considered

1.1         
Do nothing.  If permission to extend the
current contract is not granted then the council will not be able
to continue to receive card payments and would thus have to fall
back on cash and cheque payments. As the council has considerably
wound down its cash and cheque processing arrangements this would
not be a cost-effective option to pursue.  Therefore this option has been discounted.
1.2         
Undertake a legally compliant procurement exercise.  Longer term it is the intention to review and
tender for banking and card services simultaneously, however this
is not feasible within current timescales and available
resources.  Therefore this option has
been discounted.