Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Local Government Reorganisation and Human Resources

Forward Plan Ref: 26/151

Key decision

Contact: Lauren Diggett, Programme Manager – Local Government Reorganisation (Lauren.Doggett@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) (CAB14)

This report seeks Cabinet approval to procure a Strategic Partner to support the delivery of Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire. The proposed procurement is intended not only to enable a safe and legally compliant transition to new unitary arrangements, but to support a transformation-led approach that redesigns services, operating models and system working. The Strategic Partner will operate at system level, working across councils and partners to translate ambition into deliverable plans, develop future operating models, and support implementation before and after vesting. Cabinet approval is required as this constitutes a key decision, committing the Council to a significant procurement and enabling delegated authority to progress and award the contract.

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Approve the commencement of a procurement exercise to appoint a Strategic Partner to support the delivery of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) across the Oxfordshire and West Berkshire councils involved in scope, supporting both the statutory transition to new unitary arrangements and wider transformation objectives across the system;

b)    Approve the commencement of procurement on the basis of an estimated contract value in the region of £3.0 million, with the contract expected to commence in September 2026 and run until March 2029 or 12 months following vesting day, whichever is later.  The proposed costs will be tested and refined through the procurement process, with final costs confirmed prior to contract award. Costs will be shared in accordance with the agreed 80/20 Memorandum of Understanding, which is the cost-sharing agreement between the councils involved in the scope of Local Government Reorganisation for relevant LGR-related work, with 80% funded by Oxfordshire County Council and 20% funded collectively by the partner councils;

c)    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive (in his capacity as LGR Oxfordshire and West Berkshire System Implementation Team Leader), following completion of the procurement process and subject to all required approvals, to take all necessary steps to award and enter into the contract, provided that the final arrangement remains within the contract value and duration parameters set out in this report. Any proposed arrangement outside those parameters would be reported back to Cabinet for approval.

Cabinet considered a report recommending approval of a procurement exercise to appoint a Strategic Partner to support Local Government Reorganisation across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire, with an estimated contract value of £3 million starting September 2026 until March 2029 or 12 months post-vesting day, sharing costs 80/20 between Oxfordshire County Council and partner councils.  This partner would provide specialist capacity for both statutory transition and system-wide transformation to achieve financially sustainable unitary authorities and improved service integration, with procurement conducted competitively under the Procurement Act 2023 and contract management ensuring risk mitigation and alignment with equality, sustainability, and legal requirements.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Leader of the Council, presented the report.

During discission, members discussed references to West Berkshire, noting uncertainty pending Government decisions on future local government structures. Cabinet agreed amendments to ensure flexibility pending those decisions and removed references to an unagreed cost-sharing formula.

Councillor Bearder moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:-

a)    Approve the commencement of a procurement exercise to appoint a Strategic Partner to support the delivery of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) across the Oxfordshire (and West Berkshire) councils involved in scope, supporting both the statutory transition to new unitary arrangements and wider transformation objectives across the system;

b)    Approve the commencement of procurement on the basis of an estimated contract value in the region of £3.0 million, with the contract expected to commence in September 2026 and run until March 2029 or 12 months following vesting day, whichever is later. The proposed costs will be tested and refined through the procurement process, with final costs confirmed prior to contract award. Costs will be shared in accordance with the cost-sharing agreement between the councils involved in the scope of Local Government Reorganisation for relevant LGR-related work.

c)    Delegate authority to the Chief Executive (in his capacity as LGR Oxfordshire and West Berkshire System Implementation Team Leader), following completion of the procurement process and subject to all required approvals, to take all necessary steps to award and enter into the contract, provided that the final arrangement remains within the contract value and duration parameters set out in this report. Any proposed arrangement outside those parameters would be reported back to Cabinet for approval.