The Director of Regeneration presented a report informing members of the results of the Gateway O Review of the Parks and Countryside Service Procurement Exercise (PACSPE) undertaken by the 4ps Organisation and the Interim Business Case findings by Capita Symonds. 4ps had made eight recommendations which were discussed by the PACSPE Members Group at their meeting on 15 July 2009 and actions were agreed in response to the recommendations. These were attached in an appendix to the report.

Approval for funding for the next stage of the procurement exercise was requested from the Efficiency Investment Budget.

The Leader of the Council referred to the need to keep ‘Friends’ groups informed and the Head of Cultural Services stated that meetings with ‘Friends’ groups had been held and further meetings were being arranged.

Resolved -

(1) That Cabinet supports the actions listed in Appendix 1 of the Director’s report.

(2) That the PACSPE Members Group decision, in response to the 4ps recommendations, to instruct Capita Symonds to provide a more detailed analysis of three procurement options, be endorsed.

(3) That a further £115,000 be allocated from the Efficiency Investment Budget to pay for the cost of further Gateway reviews and additional consultancy support to be spent in 2009/10 and 2010/11.