Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Nicky Dykes.  Councillor Nicholas Bennett attended as substitute.

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, only questions specifically relating to reports on the agenda can be taken at this special meeting. For this urgent meeting, questions should be received by the Democratic Services Team by noon on Thursday 22^nd October.

Three written questions were received and are attached at Appendix 1.

The Leader of the Council on 21 July 2020, approved proceeding to procurement for energy supplies from the United Learning Trust Framework via a mini competition.  The report sought authorisation to award contracts for London Borough of Bromley’s electricity and gas supplies following the mini competition.

In opening the debate, the Chairman sought an explanation as to the cause of the delay in bringing a decision forward.  The Leader of the Council explained that he had wanted to seek some clarification concerning some of the information contained in the report – such as the price of Brent Crude – and as a result of this there had been some delays in finalising the report.  Whilst acknowledging the explanation provided by the Leader, the Chairman expressed concern that the report had not been flagged for attention on the Contracts Register.

The Committee noted that the report was seeking delegated authority and requested that Officers report back to the Committee once the final contractor had been determined.

In response to a question concerning the fuel mix of the electricity that was being purchased, in particular green energy, the Assistant Director for Strategic Property confirmed that all electricity and gas supplies were coming from 100% renewable sources (solar and wind power in relation to electricity).  It was noted that the actual mix of energy could be obtained from the broker and shared with Members following the meeting.

Members noted that 30 days’ notice was required in order to end the deault tariff.  The Assistant Director for Strategic Property reported that at this stage the financial impact of going onto default tariffs was unclear as due to the nature of the energy market the final cost would be dependent on agreement of the next contract.

The Chairman noted that the chosen procurement framework was for a five-year period but within that framework the contract was for a two-year period.  After two years a further contract could be negotiated.  The recommendation from the broker was that the Council should agree a fixed two-year contract as a result of the fluctuation in prices within the energy market since July 2020.  It was noted that the price would be fixed for two years irrespective of any further fluctuations in the market and this would provide cost certainty during that two-year period.

In response to a question concerning to what energy usage the contract applied, the Assistant Director for Strategic Property confirmed that the Council buildings were included as was street lighting (which represented the single biggest usage of electricity).  The contract also applied to some leisure centres and some libraries but not all and this was dependant on the lease arrangements that were in place and whether the Council had an undertaking to provide the service. 

The Committee requested that at a future meeting a separate paper setting out details of contracts with other organisations where the Council was supplying services (such as energy, water, maintenance) over which it had no control as well as that changes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

The Chairman to move that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the item of business listed below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business referred to below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

The following summaries

refer to matters involving exempt information

The Chairman to move that this report be considered as a matter of urgency in view of the need to award a new energy contract.

The Committee noted the Part 2 (exempt from publication) information.