Councillor Anita Leech, as Chair of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee, introduced a report on that Committee’s recommendations, from its meeting on 4 March, in respect to the Business Support Services: Commissioning Intentions Paper. The report recommended the endorsement of an extension of the Business Support Services contract to 30 September 2021, and approval of the final Business Support Services specification for delivery of a new service from October 2021 to October 2024, with an option to extend by one year to October 2025 based on satisfactory performance.

On a motion by Councillor Anita Leech, seconded by Councillor Janette Williamson, it was -

Resolved – That,

(1)  an extension of the Business Support Services contract to 30 September 2021, be endorsed;

(2)  the Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Chair and Spokespersons of the Economy and Regeneration and Development Committee, be authorised to:

(a)  Approve the final Business Support Services specification for delivery of a new service from October 2021 to October 2024, with an option to extend by one year to October 2025 based on satisfactory performance.

(b)  Commence procurement and select the most economically advantageous supplier(s) to deliver the commissioned services.

(c)  Conclude the final contract award.

Exempt appendices to Agenda Item 20: Business Support Services: Commissioning Intentions Paper

Resolved – That the exempt appendix to the Business Support Services: Commissioning Intentions Paper report, be noted.

Councillor Jo Bird, having expressed a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item, left the meeting for the debate and vote.

The report of the Director of Regeneration and Place summarised progress of Wirral Council’s Business Support Service commission which was to run to May 2021, and asked the Committee to endorse the extension of the current contract to September 2021 to align procurement timescales with the complementary Third Sector Infrastructure service and sought authority to undertake market procurement for a re- prioritised Business Support Service in 2021.

RESOLVED –

That Policy and Resources Committee be requested to approve the following recommendations:

(1)  An extension of the Business Support Services contract to 30 September 2021 be endorsed.

(2)  The Director of Regeneration and Place, in consultation with the Chair and Spokespersons of the Economy and Regeneration and Development Committee, be authorised to:

a.  Approve the final Business Support Services specification for delivery of a new service from October 2021 to October 2024, with an option to extend by one year to October 2025 based on satisfactory performance.

b.  Commence procurement and select the most economically advantageous supplier(s) to deliver the commissioned services.

c.  Conclude the final contract award.