Decision

For the reasons set out in the report, it is
recommended to:
1.   
Approve the commencement of a procurement process for the
establishment of a new PSF for use by the Council, Liverpool City
Region Combined Authority (LCRCA), Merseytravel and other local
authorities in the Merseyside region.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing – this has been discounted
because, without implementing the PSF, the Council lacks a
streamlined procurement route to commission support services for
the known capital programmes of work which could require more
lengthy tender processes and incur fees.
 
There are alternative routes for procurement
of call-off contracts from external frameworks. However, these will
not necessarily meet in full the council’s requirements and
objectives or include suppliers that have committed to resource and
service Liverpool City Council and the Merseyside region. In
addition, while timelines to procure would be similar, utilising an
external framework will mean that the Council would incur user
fees.
 
In house – this has been discounted
because there is not currently and will not be over the duration of
this framework term, sufficient capacity or expertise within the
Council’s permanent staffing and structure to facilitate the
resource needs to deliver. This is specifically related to the
capital programme for highways and transportation and supporting
other departments and directorates within the council.