Decision

Salford City Council – Record of Decision

I (Councillor Cusack, Lead Member for Corporate Services and Chairman of the Procurement Board) OR (Paul Dennett, City Mayor), accept the recommendation of the Procurement Board and in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution do hereby approve:

·     to commence a procurement exercise for the supply of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in relation to Salford City Council’s ‘Venues in Salford’.

·     ProcurementBoard is asked to approve commencement of a procurement exercise for the supply of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for Venues in Salford, using the appropriate YPO route (and/ or other procurement vehicle that ensures Salford-based suppliers of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are able to submit tenders), for an estimated total contract value of £400,000 over five years, and to note that a further report will be brought back for approval to award.

The Reasons are: as identified in the report provided.

Options considered and rejected were: No other options considered at this stage.

Assessment of Risk:

The risks identified in relation to this contract are as follows:

·     Failure to supply competitive/ compliant bids. Mitigation – As identified in the report If there were a new contractor to the market they would apply to become a supplier on the DPS and this approach provides flexibility to the market and allows new suppliers to compete. In addition, there will also be many mini competitions being undertaken by other authorities/ establishments, using the same process, therefore ensuring that there is competition between contractors to provide best value.

·     Future supply/ disruption through a new contractor being appointed. Mitigation – This will be identified in the specification with contractors having to identify/ detail theirimplementation/ contract launch plan following any award with clear actions/ timescales and implications if they are a ‘new ‘contactor.

Innovate/ Best Value – identify the relevant corporate priorities specific to Salford:

This recommendation contributes to the Best Value themes in the following ways:

·     Continuous improvement – the service has identified that the current contractual arrangements in relation to alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are out of date and it is now seeking to establish a new long-term contract to deliver better value and one that meets current procurement regulations.

·     Use of resources – it is anticipated that through this contract that financially the service will benefit considering it is a five-year arrangement ensuring better value for money. Offering a five-year arrangement guarantees the supplier of continued commitment therefore will maximise economies of scale

·     Service delivery – through this long-term arrangement it is anticipated that a partnering arrangement will be established and developed benefitting service delivery with opportunities to develop the ‘Venues in Salford’ business.

The source of funding and financial advice obtained:

Supplied by Ethan Bestwick/ Accountant/ Ethan.Bestwick@salford.gov.uk

Date: 23/06/2026.

The purchase of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is essential to the operation of the Venues in Salford service. Expenditure on beverages will be fully funded from income generated through beverage sales, and the proposed procurement exercise does not create any additional budgetary pressure for the service. The new contract will support the service in securing competitive pricing over the proposed 5-year term.

Legal Advice obtained:

Lauren Armstrong (26/06/2026) Solicitor, Shared Legal Team

This report seeks approval to go out tender to procure supplier(s) for the bulk purchase of beverages by the ‘Venues in Salford’ team to supply various events/functions hosted at three locations as well as an outside catering service. This would constitute a public goods contract and therefore the procurement would be subject to the Council’s Contractual Standing Orders. The total estimated cost of the spend is below the goods threshold set out in the Procurement Act 2023.

Procurement Advice obtained:

Supplied by Deborah Derbyshire, Procurement team.

Date: 24/06/26.

The purchase of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks will be procured using an existing YPO DPS and a mini competition will be undertaken to ensure best value is achieved. This process complies with the contractual standing orders.

HR Advice obtained:

Supplied by Rachel Rennie, HR and OD Business Partner

Date:25/06/26

There are no HR implications in respect of this report.

Climate Change Implications obtained:

Supplied by Mike Hemmingway. Team Leader- Environmental Policy.

Date -26th June 2026

The production and distribution of alcoholic drinks generate substantial greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change Impacts include:

·     Energy-Intensive Packaging: Packaging for up to 40% of the carbon footprint drinks. Manufacturing single-use glass is highly carbon-intensive.

·     Transport Emissions: Shipping heavy liquid products across the country and the world generates high transport-related greenhouse gas emissions.

·     Agricultural Resource Use: Growing crops like grapes, barley, and sugarcane requires intensive land and water use. Furthermore, the use of fertilizers releases nitrous oxide (N?O), a greenhouse gas with 300 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide.

Reducing Impact:

If you purchase alcoholic and soft drinks, you can lower your carbon footprint by choosing products sold in alternative packaging (such as cans, paperboard cartons, or boxed wine), which are lighter and less carbon-intensive to produce and ship. Using local breweries, distilleries, and wineries reduces transport emissions, similarly some brands utilize renewable energy and regenerative agriculture.

As indicated in the details section given the climate change implications identified in relation to this contract those tendering will be requested to identify how these will be minimised with this included in the tender evaluation process.

The following documents have been used to assist the decision process:

·     Detailed report provided.

Contact Details:

·     Contact Officer: Dominic Clarke, Head of Citywide and Bereavement Services.

Signed:   Cllr Cusack         Dated:    24 August 2026.

             Lead Member

FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY:

·     This decision was published on 25 August 2026.

·     This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 2 September 2026 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Procedure Rules.