Issue - meetings

To appoint Womble Bond Dickinson to a further commission, supporting the procurement of a Strategic Energy Partner for the Borough.

Members considered a report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive that sought to appoint Womble Bond Dickinson to a further commission at a cost of £100,000+VAT supporting the procurement of a Strategic Energy Partner for the Borough. This commission, it was reported, would be funded by a £100,000 Advanced Zoning Programme (AZP) grant from DESNZ.

The Council is currently out to tender for a Strategic Energy Partner for the Borough. If successful, the procurement will establish a Joint Venture between the Council and a commercial energy infrastructure provider to bring in the large-scale investment needed to upgrade Oldham’s energy systems for the future and secure a wide range of economic co-benefits for the borough including jobs, skills, a Social Value Fund and stabilisation of energy bills for residents and businesses.

The report presented two Options:

Option 1 (preferred Option) – To appoint Womble Bond Dickinson to a further commission at a cost of £100,000+VAT.

Option 2 – To not appoint Womble Bond Dickinson to a further commission. Under this option, the Council will not have sufficient support for the ongoing procurement

Resolved:

That the Scrutiny Board endorses the recommendation in the report of the Executive Director of Place/Deputy Chief Executive, to appoint Womble Bond Dickinson to a further commission at a cost of £100,000+VAT, noting that under this option, the Council will have sufficient ongoing Legal support for the procurement of a Strategic Energy Partner for the Borough.