Issue - meetings

          The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Enterprise, Community and Resources, on Street Lighting Energy Procurement.

The Board was advised that Halton used Utilities Procurement Group (UPG), an energy procurement specialist for the public sector, for the purchase of its un-metered electricity supply. As the energy market was often volatile, it was noted that UPG used their knowledge of the market to determine the best time to seek tenders.

It was reported that the Council’s current contract with British Gas expired on 31 March 2017. UPG invited tenders on the Council’s behalf, the details of which were set out in the report. It was further noted that the Street Lighting Energy contract had to be accepted within very short timescales, which required the waiver of Procurement Standing Orders. The Board noted the action taken by the Strategic Director in accepting the offer of supply from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE). This action had also been reviewed by Internal Audit.

          RESOLVED: That

1)    the new supply contract for un-metered electricity with Scottish and Southern Energy be endorsed;

2)    the Board endorse the waiving of Procurement Standing Orders 2.2 to 2.11 for the purchase of un-metered electricity;

3)    it be recorded that the expenditure was anticipated to be in excess of £1.0m per annum; and

4)    Utilities Procurement Group (UPG) continue to be used to manage our street lighting energy provision.