The Governance Committee of Havering Council was scheduled to discuss proposed updates to the Council's Contract Procedure Rules and a comprehensive review of various parts of the Council's Constitution. These discussions are part of an ongoing effort to ensure the Council's governance documents are up-to-date and effective.

Proposed New Contract Procedure Rules 2025

The committee was scheduled to consider a report and appendix detailing proposed new Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) for 2025. These rules are intended to replace the existing 2016 CPRs and align with changes in public procurement law, including the Procurement Act 2023. The proposed rules aim to remove unnecessary restrictions, enhance transparency and governance, and provide clearer steps for officers when procuring contracts. Key changes highlighted in the report include updated thresholds and delegations, a more flexible approach to price:quality ratios, and specific provisions for social value, sustainability, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). The report recommended that the revised CPRs be submitted to Full Council for adoption.

Constitutional Review - Various Parts

A report was scheduled for discussion regarding a review of various parts of the Council's Constitution. This review is being undertaken on a piecemeal basis under the direction of the Constitutional Working Group. The report presented proposed revisions to the Constitution, which were recommended for submission to Full Council for approval and adoption, subject to any changes suggested by the Governance Committee. The review aims to ensure the Constitution effectively sets the framework for the Council's operations, provides clear leadership, and enables effective accountability. The report indicated that most matters within this review had previously been reported to and agreed by the Governance Committee, with the exception of the Contract Procedure Rules and the Policy & Strategy Development Framework.