Agenda and minutes

The Committee is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 

RESOLVED    -           That the minutes held on 26 June 2017 be approved as a

correct record.

Report of Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

The Committee received an update report on the work on the Strategic Resilience and Emergency Planning Framework and the work undertaken over the last six months.

It was noted that over the last six months there have been a number of incidents, with acts of terrorism dominating the landscape. Following the Grenfell Tower fire incident it is expected that there will be a lot to review as further information becomes known and the Public Enquiry is underway.  In terms of Gateshead, work has been undertaken to check similar buildings and also to look at what Gateshead’s response would have been if a similar incident had occurred in the area.  It was noted that a Members Seminar has been arranged for 2 October 2017 to feedback on Gateshead’s response.

As a result of the changing landscape, locally and nationally, it has been appropriate to review the Strategic Resilience and Emergency Planning Framework. It was noted that the purpose of the Framework is to determine the future focus for Gateshead and to ensure arrangements are in place to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and major incident situations.

Committee was advised that there are a number of emerging issues in relation to Resilience and Emergency Planning, for example; coordination of pre-planned operations led by emergency services, coordination of responses to modern slavery, trafficking and exploitation, increased scrutiny of event plans and work to understand the implications of an increase in the terrorism threat level.

Committee was provided with information on the incidents and operations that the Emergency Response Team has been involved with over the last six months. The incidents included police led operations, power cuts, disposal of hand grenades and tower block communication issues. In addition it was reported that the Emergency Response Team were involved in Jeremy Corbyn’s high profile visit to Gateshead. The team led the planning for this large scale event with the Police running their Tactical Command from the Major Incident Room in the Civic Centre, it was noted that this worked well and is to be used as an exemplar for other areas.

It was reported that work is continuing with organisations and event organisers following publication of Government’s new Crowded Places Guidance and the increased threat level. In addition, the Resilience Team is reviewing its counter terrorism plan and also developing a new Pandemic Influenza Plan in preparation for the beginning of the national winter planning season.

Over the last six months the North East Counter Terrorism Unit held a session for Councillors on the threat from terrorism and what to do if involved in an incident. The Resilience Team also undertook a Strategic Incident Controller exercise with the Leadership Team. It was also reported that a multi-agency training exercise was held overnight at the Metro Centre. The exercise tested the skills and response of all agencies to a terror attack within the shopping centre, it was acknowledged that on the whole the exercise was successful.  The Emergency Response Team also took  ...  view the full minutes text for item CR8

Report of Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Committee received a report and presentation on the Council’s external local spend. It was reported that the Council’s procurement objectives are; to obtain the best value when procuring goods, works and services, to support and develop the local supply market to grow the local economy and to ensure that all activity is carried out efficiently, effectively and in accordance with current legislation.

Within the Corporate Commissioning and Procurement Strategy 2016/17 – 2020/21 there is a commitment to strengthen Gateshead’s local economy.  It was reported that Gateshead Business is defined as “a company or other organisation which has an office or premises within the Gateshead Council boundary to which invoices are paid as identified through Agresso”.  It was noted that other local authorities have different definitions of what is a local business, however currently Gateshead is not in a position to track in more detail and therefore the financial management system is used to measure.

It was reported that there is a focus on buying locally, which is contained within the Constitution, Contract Procedure Rules. In 2010 central government funding was received for the Supplier Development Programme, Gateshead businesses had more access to that funding than other areas to help them compete. Procurement supplier engagement events continue to be held when there are opportunities around upcoming tenders.  Officers from the Procurement Team attend Economic Development Breakfast meeting to encourage local suppliers to bid, in addition the NEPO Portal can be used for quick quotes. It was also confirmed that work is underway to increase the amount of business to local businesses and increasing employment and training opportunities for residents. This work is led by the Economic Development Team, linked with anchor institutions, i.e. those who bring economy to Gateshead.  Work is underway to establish which organisations are anchor institutions.  It was also noted that Contract Procedure Rules set out that if the contract value is below £100,000 tenders can be invited from at least two local contractors.

Committee was advised that influenceable Council spend for 2016/17 is £209M.  It was noted that some organisations centralise their invoice arrangements, therefore this cannot be considered as local spend as the invoice is not being paid in Gateshead. Some authorities include any businesses operating within their boundaries regardless of involvement in Council spend.

Comparisons between Gateshead’s local spend and other local authorities was provided. In particular Doncaster’s spend was looked at as it has undertaken work to increase its local spend, however a dedicated team is in place to do so.

The top 20 suppliers was provided in relation to Gateshead, LA7 and nationally, in terms of Gateshead the most spend is towards social care provision.  Some local suppliers appear in the top 20 national supplier list, however are not considered local spend for Gateshead due to invoices not being paid locally.

Future action was outlined which includes further analysis of spend to clarify all activity, roll out of Community Wealth Building Model and implementation of an action plan to target increases in local  ...  view the full minutes text for item CR9

Joint Report of the Chief Executive and Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

The Committee received the 2017/18 work programme for information.

It was suggested that following the cessation of the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museum Committee an OSC should take on the role of that body, in particular in relation to the Shipley Art Gallery and Beamish Museum.  It was agreed that officers would look at where this would sit in the overall OSC structure.

RESOLVED    -           (i)         That Committee noted the provisional programme.

                                    (ii)        That Committee noted that further reports on the work

programme will be brought to the Committee to identify any additional policy issues, which the Committee may be asked to consider.