PAPER C

RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE - 24 APRIL 2003

PRINTING ARRANGEMENTS

HEAD OF CORPORATE POLICY AND COMMUNICATIONS

REASON FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

The report is in accordance with the agreed workplan.

ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE

For consideration

BACKGROUND

The operation of the Print Room was considered by the Select Committee on the 24^th January 2002 and certain recommendations were made to the Executive.

RELEVANT PLANS, POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Consequent to the recommendations of the Select, the Council Executive at its meeting on the 26^th March 2002 made the following decisions:

           (i)        That all Directorates be instructed to source all print work via the Print Unit forthwith.

           (ii)       That all Directorates use the Print Unit for its work where it is most competitive and within its capability, cost, quality and ability to meet deadlines.

           (iii)       That the Print Unit be staffed to fully recover all its operational and actual costs in line with current practice.

           (iv)      That a future Best Value Review examines the Authorities printing procurement.

1.        Since the above decisions were made the amount of work being procured through the Print Unit has not shown any material increase. On occasions that the Print Unit has become involved demonstrable savings have been achieved in the placement of work. It is anticipated that greater savings will be achieved once the Executive recommendations are fully implemented.

2.        The Print Unit currently budgets to recover its costs and the current budget is included as Appendix A.

3.        A Best Value Review has yet to be undertaken as it is considered that the opportune time for such a review would be when all current decisions have been fully implemented.

CONSULTATION PROCESS

No consultation has taken place subsequent to the above decisions.

FINANCIAL, LEGAL, CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS

There are ongoing potential revenue efficiency savings, arising from the placement of work through the Print Unit.

APPENDICES ATTACHED

Details of current summary Print Unit Budget.

BACKGROUND PAPERS USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT

Executive minutes, for 26^th March 2002

Select Committee 24^th January 2002

Financial Management Budget paper for the Print Unit

Contact Point :           Gareth Hughes, Financial Services Manager ☎ (01983) 823604

Dave Bryan, Print Unit Manager ☎ 823236

JOHN BENTLEY

Head of Corporate Policy and Communications