URGENT BUSINESS

Purpose: For Decision

Committee:	EXECUTIVE
Date:	26 FEBRUARY 2002
Title:	URGENT BUSINESS – EXEMPTION FROM STANDING ORDERS
	PORTFOLIO HOLDER – TOURISM AND LEISURE

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To ask the Executive to agree to exempt from the requirements of the Contract Standing Orders a contract with Solo Agency Limited in respect of the Isle of Wight Festival.

BACKGROUND

On 13 November 2001 the Executive agreed to proceed with the Isle of Wight Festival, to include a high-profile launch concert in Seaclose Park, Newport. The Managing Director of Solo Agency Limited gave a presentation at that meeting and they were identified in the business plan as key partners with specialist skills, contacts and experience.

It was made clear in the decision of the Executive that the Festival should be organised and it was understood that Solo Agency Limited would be employed as agents to book bands/individual artistes to appear at the concert, to advise on the production and technical management of the launch concert, and to liaise with the music industry in relation to media coverage.

The value of the contract with Solo is over the limit at which Standing Orders would require competitive tenders to be obtained. It includes fees payable to Solo, with a further sum payable through them (acting as agents on behalf of the Council) as performance fees to the artistes and bands appearing at the concert.

Solo have almost completed arrangements for bands and artistes to appear at the concert and it is hoped that the contracts can be signed and the line-up announced on Thursday 28 February. This date is before the expiry of the call in period and therefore Members are requested to invoke Select Committee Procedure Rule 15 (i) in order to implement the decision before the end of the call in period.

REASON FOR URGENCY

The Legal Services Manager has advised that the November report and decision did not include an exemption from Standing Orders. The matter needs to be regularised before the contract can be signed and the line-up announced later this week.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The fees payable to Solo are included in the figures compiled for the business plan as approved by the Executive on 13 November 2001 and it is anticipated will be recovered from income achieved.

If the concert does not proceed then Council would lose the monies already spent.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

Tenders for this contract have not been invited as the market is a restricted one, and in the short time-scale for organising such an event it has only been possible to achieve it with the considerable help of Solo and their trusted reputation within the industry.

Authorising an exemption from Standing Orders as to contracts will make it legally possible to proceed with the contract and the arrangements for the Festival.

OPTIONS

1. To authorise an exemption from Standing Orders as to contracts in respect of the proposed contract with Solo Agency Limited and to invoke Procedure Rules to allow the decision to take effect immediately. This will allow the contract to be signed and the Festival concert to proceed.

2. Not to authorise an exemption. This will make it impossible to proceed with the Festival.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Option 1.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Report and Minutes of Executive 13 November 2001.

Other papers are exempt.

Contact Point: Annie Horne tel. 3350 or Peter Pilgrem tel. 3207

A KAYE Strategic Director of Education and Community Development

P JARMAN Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Leisure