Agenda and draft minutes

To note any changes to the membership.

1.1      It was noted that Councillors Iman Less and Lorraine Dean were substituting for Councillors Aicha Less and Caroline Sargent.

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any pecuniary interests or any other significant interest in matters on this agenda.

2.1      There were no declarations of interest.

3.1      The Committee received a report which provided an outline of the amendments proposed to the Audit and Performance Committee’s Terms of Reference as set out in the Council’s Constitution. It was noted that in spring 2024, the Director of Audit, Fraud, Risk and Insurance, the Head of Internal Audit and the Lead Policy and Scrutiny Advisor facilitated a workshop with the Audit and Performance Committee which focused on the CIPFA Self-assessment of Good Practice, including the Knowledge and Skills Framework.

3.2      Members were informed that an action arising from the workshop was to review the Audit and Performance Committee’s Terms of Reference to ensure that its arrangements were in line with best practice. The Committee was pleased to note that the self-assessment provided assurance to the Audit and Performance Committee that it was performing its role in line with CIPFA’s best practice and Members were of the opinion that the suggested changes to its terms of reference as set out in the report would help strengthen its effectiveness.

3.3      RESOLVED: The Full Councill be recommended to approve the proposed amendments to the terms of reference to the Audit and Performance Committee as set out in Appendix A of the report.

4.1      The Committee received a report setting out that Westminster’s Procurement Code had last been updated in March 2021 and now required revising to better align with the principles of Fairer Westminster and its Responsible Procurement and Commissioning Strategy. In addition, the updates provided to the Committee included recent improvements to procurement governance processes and other necessary changes required to ensure the Council was ready for the new Procurement Legislation coming into effect on 24 February 2025.

4.2      The Committee noted how one of the main changes intended was to create a simpler, more flexible commercial system, which would enable small businesses and social enterprises to win more public contracts and Members discussed in detail how any risks associated with this change would be mitigated. Further discussions also took place regarding the threshold for Cabinet Members to formally approve procurement strategies for contracts valued at £5m or above.

4.3      After a detailed discussion the Committee agreed that the proposed changes were appropriate and important in ensuring the Council was ready for the new legislation due to come into effect in February 2025. The Committee also agreed to the proposals that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make amendments to the Procurement Code in relation to changes in legislation or other minor amendments required.

4.4      RESOLVED: That Full Council be recommended to:

i)                adopt the changes to the Procurement Code set out in the body of the report and at Appendix A.

ii)               adopt the changes to the Cabinet Member Terms of Reference set out in Appendix D of the report.

iii)             agree that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to update the Constitution and make any consequential changes.

iv)             authorise the Monitoring Officer to make amendments to the Procurement Code in relation to changes in legislation or other minor amendments.