Wrthi'n llwytho
Clywodd y Pwyllgor ddiweddariad am wasanaeth caffael y Cyngor. Roedd hyn yn cynnwys ARDAL, y gwasanaeth caffael cydweithredol rhwng pedwar cyngor, Strategaeth Caffael Cymdeithasol Gyfrifol 2022-2027, a deddfwriaeth newydd caffael y DU. Gofynnodd aelodau gwestiynau, a chytunwyd y bydd y Cadeirydd yn ysgrifennu at yr Aelod Cabinet gyda sylwadau'r Pwyllgor. Cymeradwyodd y Pwyllgor hefyd ei dudalennau ar gyfer Adroddiad Blynyddol Craffu 2024/25 ar y cyd.
None received.
None received.
The minutes of the meetings held on 26/02/25 and 12/03/25 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chairperson advised Members that the Committee’s Terms of reference include oversight of the Council’s arrangements for procuring goods and services, this item would provide news of the Council’s collaborative procurement service, ARDAL, progress in delivering the Council’s Socially Responsible Procurement Strategy 2022-2027, as agreed by Cabinet in October 2022, the implications of new UK procurement legislation, and news of the forthcoming draft Socially Responsible Procurement Policy. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Councillor Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance; Chris Lee, Corporate Director Resources; Ian Allwood, Head of Finance; Gemma Ellis, Interim Head of Commissioning and Procurement and John Paxton, Strategy & Development Manager. The Cabinet Member was invited to make an opening statement after which Members were provided with a presentation from Officers. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members sought reassurance that Cardiff Council would not suffer reputational damage following media reports about the CCR decision regarding the Aberthaw project. They were informed that the matter is ongoing, the Council has reviewed its position, taken advice, and will return to committee at a later stage. It was also noted that the issue is currently for the CCR to consider. Members inquired whether collaboration on procurement services might distract from Cardiff Council’s own processes and performance, given the current levels of procurement activity. They were advised that the Ardal collaboration has enhanced Cardiff's performance by strengthening recruitment, increasing professional expertise, improving workforce planning, and liaising with universities, which has expanded career opportunities across all four councils. While members appreciated the increase in recruits from local universities, they noted that more funding is needed for better training opportunities. Members examined the actual savings Cardiff Council has achieved through a collaborative approach and were informed that the team now enjoys resilience that would not be possible if Cardiff were working alone, as Ardal funds a significant portion of team resources. Additionally, members noted that the service offered £90,000 in savings as part of the 2025/26 budget setting exercise. The Committee sought reassurance that any conflict between Cardiff and Ardal members could be mitigated and were reassured to hear that resources to support Ardal are reviewed annually and a contract forward plan is in place to allocate work and ensure capacity is efficiently managed across the team. Members explored how the themes within the draft Ardal Socially Responsible Procurement Policy were identified and were advised that national and local priorities align with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, and key contractors had also been consulted. The Committee asked about the processes in place to monitor contracts. They were informed that a new ‘Thrive’ system has recently been introduced to ensure contractors are delivering. Members were also interested to hear that for large projects valued at over £5 million, three key performance indicators will be published and reported on as part of the full review the service will undertake. Members sought clarification on the proportion of contracts valued at over £75,000. Officers offered to provide this data after the committee meeting. Discussing contracts below this value, members explored measures to ensure they too are monitored. They noted that detailed guidance is available on the four different procurement routes, standardised packs, and training for service areas. Furthermore, for contracts over £75,000, spending is monitored quarterly. Senior managers and contract managers now have access to quarterly PowerBi reports. Members noted two pieces of new legislation that the service will need to embrace: the Procurement Act 2023 and the Social Partnership & Public Procurement (Wales) Act, coming early in 2026. They were pleased to hear that officers consider the Procurement Act a positive step towards breaking down barriers faced by SMEs and simplifying the tender process. Regarding the Wales Act, which is expected to build on UK legislation, members noted that officers are still awaiting guidance and expressed concern that it will require greater contract management resources. The Committee heard that achieving standardisation while considering the individual needs of all four councils has been a significant challenge. Members noted the use of the new Procurement Act 2023 to initiate conversations, along with Legal and Audit discussions, to standardise internal governance arrangements across all four councils. The Committee was keen to ensure that SMEs have opportunities to bid for contracts wherever possible. Members considered this an important area for the Council to influence. Officers indicated that SMEs will have the opportunity to apply for smaller lots within contracts, and future ‘Meet the Buyer’ events will focus on SMEs. Members requested clarification on whether the purchase of IT for schools is centralised and managed by Ardal. They were informed that this information could be gathered and provided after the committee meeting. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: to approve the Committee’s Scrutiny Annual Report pages and note the report.
Members were advised that this report was to seek approval for the Committee’s own pages to be included in the joint Scrutiny Annual Report for 2024/25 and to note any correspondence arising from recent meetings. RESOLVED: to approve the Committee’s Scrutiny Annual Report pages and note the report.
None received.
07/05/24, 4.30pm
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Dyw'r cofnodion ddim yn cofnodi unrhyw ddatganiadau o fuddiant.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.