1:1 In an update to the LJCC, the Director of Commissioning had previously stated that the delay in the implementation of the Cushman and Wakefield contract was because clarification had been required concerning the final pension agreement.
The Staff Side allege that in a meeting with the Director of Culture, Renewal and Recreation and an Amey representative, it was stated that the delay in signing the contract was not related to pensions, but that there were additional problems that were not pension related.
The Staff Side are seeking clarification around what they perceive as statements that are conflicting.
1:2 The Staff Side would like to request the publication of the full review of the Idverde contract.
Minutes:
The Staff Side had asked the following question:
‘In an update to the LJCC, the Director of Commissioning had previously stated that the delay in the implementation of the Cushman and Wakefield contract was because clarification had been required concerning the final pension agreement.
The Staff Side allege that in a meeting with the Director of Culture, Renewal and Recreation and an Amey representative, it was stated that the delay in signing the contract was not related to pensions, but that there were additional problems that were not pension related.
The Staff Side are seeking clarification around what they perceive as statements that are conflicting.’
A written answer had been tabled from the Director of Commissioning:
‘The issue was two-fold – but both issues were related to pensions.
1) Cushman and Wakefield thought that they had Admitted Body status to the LGPS, but late in the day they found out that they did not – specifically to make payments into Bromley Pensions.
The delay was primarily a procedural one of getting Cushman and Wakefield Admitted Body status from LGPS--which was obtained relatively quickly but took over a month. Consequently the decision was made to start Cushman and Wakefield on 1st December rather than mid-month.
2) Cushman and Wakefield also required a Bond, and as an American owned company this had to be approved by the American Board.’
The Staff Side expressed appreciation for the information that had been provided. Ms Slater commented that it would have been helpful to have received more information and clarity concerning the issue of the American Bond. The Vice Chairman wondered if all contracts required some sort of bond. Ms Slater expressed the view that the second point, or another fundamental issue existed, that had delayed the signing of the contract, not dependent upon the pension agreement. She stated that TUPE processes should be clear and understandable. The Director of HR concurred with this.
The Chairman asked if there were any more issues that needed to be directed to the Director of Commissioning—there were none and so the matter was closed.
The Staff Side had asked a secondary question as follows:
‘The Staff Side would like to request the publication of the full review of the Idverde contract.’
The Vice Chairman stated that she did not wish the commissioning questions to be heard by the Environment PDS Committee. She expressed the view that the matter was more suited to the LJCC, as it was a better forum for debate. She also commented that any dialogue with the Director of Environment and the Chairman of the Environment PDS Committee was welcome. The Chairman of the Environment PDS Committee (Councillor William Huntington Thresher) informed that at the next meeting of the Environment PDS Committee, members would be looking at annual reports on contracts, and that much of the information that the Staff Side were seeking may be detailed in the reports.
The Chairman explained to the Staff Side the process that they should follow in submitting questions to any PDS Committee. Councillor Huntington Thresher encouraged the Staff Side to submit questions to the PDS Committee, and assured that the PDS would be very interested to receive the questions.
RESOLVED that any issues relating to contract monitoring and to the Idverde contract be referred to the Environment PDS Committee.