Issue - meetings

 Report by the Corporate Director, Dr Carlton Brand.

Councillor Philip Whitehead presented the report which recommend the adoption of the Wiltshire Council Digital Strategy 2017 – 2021.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: the steps taken to ensure that consultants are treated differently to employees to avoid negative tax implications; that the impact of the contact on smaller and local contractors had been considered and would be monitored; and the opportunities for transferring skills as part of consultancy work.

Resolved

To implement the neutral vendor solution via Bloom with a goal of implementation commencing Autumn 2017. This project should be viewed as a Strategic Procurement initiative designed to aid the implementation of category management and support the council’s strategy around securing best value Consultancy and Specialist Professional Services.

To approve the award the provision of consultancy services to Bloom under the call-off agreement to the NEPO compliant framework agreement and to delegate to the Associate Director for Corporate Services the entering into and the finalising of the call-off contract.

Reason for Decision:

To establish improved governance and better control expenditure on the procurement of specialist professional services and consultancy.