Purpose

The Council's current Corporate Cleaning Contract is due to expire on 31 October 2026. The contract provides cleaning services across the Council's estate, including corporate offices, libraries, community facilities, family hubs, operational buildings and other public-facing facilities. These services support the delivery of safe, clean and accessible environments for staff, elected members, service users and visitors. The current contract was secured through the ESPO framework and is delivered by Solo Service Group. Following engagement with Procurement the same framework was used to secure a new contract. An expression of interest exercise was undertaken through the framework; sufficient supplier interest has been identified to proceed with a further competition in accordance with the framework requirements. This report seeks approval to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Transformation and Asset Management, to award the contract to the successful bidder following completion of the procurement process through the ESPO Total Cleaning Services Solution Framework for the provision of corporate cleaning services. The proposed approach will ensure compliance with procurement legislation and the Contracts and Tendering rules, support value for money, maintain continuity of service and provide an efficient route to securing a future contract arrangement for the Council's estate.

Decision

That Cabinet noted the report and:

i)             Delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Transformation and Asset Management, to award the contract to the successful bidder following completion of the procurement process and to enter into all necessary contractual arrangements.