A report by the Interim Director of Corporate Services informed the Cabinet that the Council jointly funded the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service, which provided specialist advice on the Local Development Framework and planning applications.  Technical expertise and funding was shared between the five Merseyside Councils and Halton Borough Council, thus providing economies of scale and specialist shared services that could not be effectively provided at District level.  Sefton Council was the lead authority for procurement of the service.

The report asked the Cabinet to agree to the renewal of the contract for provision of this important advisory service for the one year period to 31 March 2011 in accordance with paragraph 5.1.2 of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.  Funding was to be shared between the Corporate Services and Technical Services Departments and could be accommodated within existing budgets.

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with paragraph 5.1.2 of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules, the Cabinet agrees to extend the MEAS contract on the terms described above for the 2010/11 financial year, until 31 March 2011, at a cost for core services of £31,673 for 2010/11.