Issue - items at meetings - Royal Paviliion & Museums - Future Governance

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive (copy attached).

RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)        Approve the option to proceed with the procurement for a 25 year term contract as set out in the report.

2)        Authorise the Chief Executive to award a contract externalising the future management of the Royal Pavilion and Museums on completion of the procurement process.  

3)        Agree that consideration may need to be given to maintaining the council’s funding level for up to 3 years to support viable bids for operating the service.  This would result in changes to the current level of savings assumed in the 4-year Service & Financial Plans for 2017/18 to 2019/20.

170.1    The Committee considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive in relation to Royal Pavilion & Museums. The purpose of the report was to recommend that the Council engage in a procurement process in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulation 2015 to secure a third party organisation to manage and operate the Royal Pavilion and Museums independently of the City Council.

170.2    Councillor G. Theobald noted the Conservative Group supported the report; in response to a query it was clarified that the contract met the threshold to be dealt with by the public procurement regulations; any award of contract without this level of process could be unlawful.

170.3    In response to Councillor Sykes the Assistant Chief Executive explained that the report was seeking permission to begin the process to understand the specification that would eventually go to tender. The buildings in the portfolio would be agreed in the specification. In relation to the viability it was noted that this would also be considered by the Member Procurement Advisory Board.

170.4    In response to Councillor Wealls it was clarified the report sought a degree of flexibility in relation to the timescales for savings as any new trust, or other organisation, would require a period of stability. In response to further queries from Councillor Wealls it was agreed that a full financial plan would be circulated the Committee after the meeting.

170.5    In response to Councillor Mac Cafferty it was clarified that the tender specification could be brought to the Committee for agreement.

170.6    The Chair highlighted the Royal Pavilion and Museums would remain in the ownership of the Council, and this approach would seek to preserve and enhance these vital city assets for the future.

170.7    The Chair then put the recommendations to the vote.

170.       RESOLVED – That the Committee:

1)        Approve the option to proceed with the procurement for a 25 year term contract as set out in the report.

2)        Authorise the Chief Executive to award a contract externalising the future management of the Royal Pavilion and Museums on completion of the procurement process.  

3)        Agree that consideration may need to be given to maintaining the council’s funding level for up to 3 years to support viable bids for operating the service.  This would result in changes to the current level of savings assumed in the 4-year Service & Financial Plans for 2017/18 to 2019/20.