To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2015.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Stockport, Trafford and Rochdale (STaR) Joint Committee meeting held on 20 January 2015 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman explained that this was a rearranged meeting, and that an informal meeting between Committee Members held on 13 April 2015 had studied the reports in today’s agenda in detail. At the informal meeting the Chair proposed that if other Members agreed, there was no need to repeat the detailed consideration of these reports. Other Members of the committee agreed with this approach.

To consider the following reports of the Director of STaR Shared Procurement.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report outlining the STaR Revenue Budget Monitoring 2014/15 – Period 11 (April 2014 – Feb 2015 inclusive).

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report outlining the 2015/16 Budget for STaR.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report outlining HR statistics (regarding absences and starters/leavers) and workforce matters.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report regarding the risk register.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider the following reports of the Director of STaR Shared Procurement.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report presenting the proposed harmonised Contract Procedure Rules for consideration by the Joint Committee.

Max Wharton (Solicitor, Transformation & Resources, Trafford Council) advised that the working group and the Board needed to request the following minor amendment to the draft Rules:

Current Rule 9.2.1

“Once a decision to award has been made in accordance with Rule 7.5.3 or 8.7.3, the Contract must be either be signed by the Officer authorised to award the Contract under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation or by Seal and in accordance with Rule 9.3.2.”

Proposed amendment

“Once a decision to award has been made in accordance with Rule 7.5.3 or 8.7.3, the Contract must be either be signed by the Officer authorised to award the Contract under the Council’s Scheme of Delegation, or signed by the SRO for Legal, or by Seal and sealed in accordance with Rule 9.3.2.”

The amendment was agreed upon by the Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Harmonised Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) for Stockport, Trafford Council and Rochdale Councils be approved, incorporating the amendment above.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report providing an overview of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, confirming the way in which these changes would be identified and publicised across the three STaR councils. The report highlighted some of the key changes being introduced by the new Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (“PCR 2015”) when compared to the existing regime set out in the Public Contracts Regulations 2006 (as amended) (“PCR 2006”).

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report providing an overview of the key activities of STaR Procurement for the quarter Jan – Mar 2015. The report contained an overview of STaR’s activity in the first year of operation, as well as a more comprehensive update on activity in relation to Business Improvement.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Director of STaR Shared Procurement.

The Director of Procurement (STaR Shared Procurement) submitted a report providing an overview of the Balanced Scorecard, highlighting the four key themes in relation to how the performance of the STaR should be evaluated: Compliance, Financial, Social Value and Performance.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Committee gave special thanks to Max Wharton (Solicitor, Transformation & Resources, Trafford Council) for his work on the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) document.

The Chairman thanked the Committee for their participation over the year.

To confirm the arrangements for the next meeting.

The next meeting would be held at 5:30pm on 22 July, 2105, at Rochdale Borough Council Offices, Number 1 Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale, OL16 1XU.