To approve the updated financial procedure rules and contract procedure rules.

The chief finance officer presented the report.   

It was explained that the financial procedure rules had been revised following the learning from Blueschool House.   The previous financial procedure rules did not contain enough detail on how to deal with capital matters.   The revised financial procedure rules were now clearer and set out the limits for members of staff. 

There was one minor change to the contract procedure rules.   

Following queries from a member of the committee the S151 officer confirmed: 

·         he would clarify where there are blanks in the summary table on page 79 of the agenda pack, if the information is reported elsewhere, e.g. the debt write off, the deputy S151 officer presents an annual report to cabinet and also provides reports to the government with respect to housing benefit. 

·         The requirement was for 3 quotes and there was no requirement to use the e-tendering portal for specialist contracts.   The reason for this was because not every supplier / provider was on the portal and there was a need to achieve best value for money.  

·         All the sign-offs are built into the software system which approves spend.   It was also confirmed that project sponsor training had commenced and the contract procedure rules and financial procedure rules were covered within the training.  

A member of the committee requested that the summary table be set out a little more clearly.  

RESOLVED

That   

(a)        the financial procedure rules attached at appendix 1 be approved; and

(b)       the contract procedure rules attached at appendix 3 be approved