Purpose

Approval is sought for the continues use of
Continued use of Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service (MEAS)
to provide Environmental and Ecological Services by means of a
procurement exemption.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report, the
Corporate Director has decided to:
1)   
Approval is granted for the Council to award a contract to Sefton
Metropolitan Borough Council (trading as the Merseyside
Environmental Advisory Service or “MEAS”) for the
provision of environmental and planning advice services as detailed
in this report until 31 March 2026, with an estimated expenditure
with MEAS of £176,000 (exclusive of VAT).
 
2)   
An exemption is approved pursuant to rule 7 of the Contracts
Standing Orders pertaining to the above contract on the grounds
that the goods, works or services are of a specialist nature such
that competitive prices cannot be obtained for the reasons set out
in this report.

Alternative options considered

1.1         
Immediately ceasing the service with MEAS would put the Council at
significant risk in fulfilling its statutory planning functions.
Therefore, this option has been discounted.
 
1.2         
There is not currently the expertise or the required level of
resource for this service to be provided in house so this has been
discounted, at present but will be explored during the exemption
period requested to see if it is a viable future
solution.

1.3         
Discussions are on going with MEAS and
other LCR authorities, who use MEAS services, to see if a formal
collaborative agreement could be put in place as an alternative to
the current arrangement. Additional time is required to explore
this option and in the interim services must continue.
 
1.4         
Undertake a compliant procurement process to appoint a supplier.
This option remains under review
however, requires further time to be explored. Before a procurement
can commence, Planning Services need to determine exact scope,
explore TUPE considerations, etc. In the interim the Planning
Service continues to need the services from MEAS to fulfil its
statutory functions, hence the request for an exemption to continue
to use MEAS.