The Executive Decision meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 2 December 2025, was set to discuss the retrospective approval of a procurement process for a UK/Pan London Recruitment Framework, known as the Local Government Resourcing Partnership (LGRP). The meeting was also scheduled to consider delegating authority for the award of the contract.

Local Government Resourcing Partnership (LGRP) Framework

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the Local Government Resourcing Partnership (LGRP) Framework. This report sought retrospective approval for a procurement process that had already commenced for a UK and Pan London Recruitment Framework. The framework is intended to be used by public sector bodies across the UK, including local authorities, education establishments, police forces, fire and rescue services, NHS bodies, registered charities, and central government departments.

The report outlined that the London Borough of Waltham Forest (LBWF) has been the lead authority for this framework since 2017, in partnership with the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO). The current framework was due to expire on 31 October 2025, and the new agreement was planned to run from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2027, with an option to extend for a further two years.

The framework was proposed to be structured into four lots:

• Lot 1: Interim Recruitment
• Lot 2: Executive Recruitment
• Lot 3: HR Consultancy
• Lot 4: HR Marketing and Advertising

The report indicated that Waltham Forest would continue to lead this framework in partnership with the YPO. The YPO is described as a 100% publicly owned buying organisation that operates under the Local Authority (Goods and Services) Act 1970. Waltham Forest is an Associate Member of the YPO, entitling it to a share of dividend payments and attendance at the YPO Management Committee's annual meeting.

The report highlighted that the re-tendering of the framework aimed to secure benefits for Waltham Forest and other London boroughs, including achieving value for money through pan London economies of scale and securing up to date rates in a competitive market. The procurement process was to be conducted under the Procurement Act 2023, with Waltham Forest acting as the contracting authority.

The report noted that the procurement process had already been undertaken, and consultation had occurred with the Portfolio Lead Member for Finance and Resources prior to its commencement. Therefore, the report sought retrospective approval to ratify these actions.

Recommendations included:

• Approving retrospectively the commenced procurement process for the LGRP Framework.
• Approving retrospectively the proposal for Waltham Forest to lead this framework on behalf of London boroughs.
• Approving the proposal to enter into a project-specific partnership agreement with the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation (YPO) to deliver the framework for London.
• Delegating authority to the Corporate Director of Culture and Workforce Development, in consultation with the Portfolio Lead Member for Finance and Resources, to award the contract to the successful supplier(s).

The report detailed the financial implications, estimating the annual spend for Waltham Forest alone at £0.9 million, with an aggregated annual spend of £40 million across all users. The total estimated contract value for Waltham Forest over four years was £3.68 million, and £150 million across all users. Efficiencies were expected through pricing and a rebate structure, where participating councils receive a share of supplier rebates. The report provided a breakdown of rebates received by LBWF from previous iterations of the LGRP Framework, totalling £100,917.46 against a spend of £24,449,797.37.

The report also touched upon legal aspects, noting that the procurement process was conducted under the Procurement Act 2023 and published on the Find a Tender service. It also mentioned that a partnership agreement would be prepared with YPO and framework agreements with successful providers.

In terms of sustainability, suppliers would be expected to demonstrate how they would meet sustainability requirements, likely including environmentally friendly working through electronic processes. The proposals were to be delivered within existing council infrastructure and resources.