Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: Yes
RESOLVED:
That Cabinet:
1) Accepts the tender from “thebigword” Interpreting Services Ltd (The Big Word) for the provision of corporate translation and interpretation services to the London Borough of Hillingdon for a two-year period from April 2023 to April 2025;
2) Furthermore, agrees that this includes the provision to extend the contract for a one-year period (3 years in total) to April 2026, delegating approval of any extension to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, noting the indicative total value of the contract for three years of £599,410.
3) Notwithstanding the decisions above, instructs officers to explore further technology opportunities to provide efficient translation and interpretation services to seek to reduce future expenditure.
Reasons for decision
The Cabinet Member for Corporate Services introduced the report, which Cabinet agreed, to accept a tender for translation and interpretation services following a competitive procurement exercise. The Cabinet Member noted that there continued to be a demand for this, particularly in relation to children’s services and to meet legal requirements. It was also explained that the Council would continue to explore new technological ways to deliver such services and achieve value-for-money going forward.
Alternative options considered and rejected
Cabinet could have continued with the current contract, but discounted this for the reasons set out in the report.
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Finance & Corporate Services |
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Expiry date for any scrutiny call-in / date decision can be implemented (if no call-in) |
These decisions can be called-in by 5pm, Friday 31 March 2023 |
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Officer(s) to action |
Tracey Taylor / Trudie Eldriny |
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Directorate |
Central Services / Resources Directorates |
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Classification |
Private - Whilst the Cabinet's decisions above are always made public, the officer report relating to this matter is not because it was considered in the private part of the meeting and contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it in accordance with Section 100(A) and paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended). |
Publication date: 24/03/2023
Date of decision: 23/03/2023
Decided at meeting: 23/03/2023 - CABINET
Effective from: 01/04/2023