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The approval of the Executive Councillor to continue to purchase gas via the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) energy framework.
Decision type: Key
Reason Key: Expenditure > £300,000;
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 09/08/2022
Decision due: Before 10 Oct 2022 by Executive Councillor for Transformation
Contact: Will Barfield, Asset Manager Email: will.barfield@cambridge.gov.uk.
Background Information: Procurement organisations in the public sector can deliver significant economies of scale across a range of services by combining requirements of member organisations to secure more favourable pricing than would be possible for each organisation acting independently. Such organisations guarantee fully compliant tendering and due to the scale of procurement they provide specialist procurement and market expertise which is especially important when dealing with energy markets. The Council already makes use of this solution and procures gas and electricity at a competitive tariff via an ESPO framework agreement. It was recommended that the use of a Public Sector Framework Agreement represented the best option for gas procurement at the current time and would enable the Council to secure pricing for March 2023-24 soon and help budget setting for next year.