PhD Final Thesis April 2013.pdf - Anglia Ruskin Research Online

Thesis Keith Gale 2013construction services from the private sector. Delivery of the highways constructionimprovement programme was delivered, in line with other local authorities, throughstandard discrete traditional public sector procurement procedures up until April2008. In May 2008, the discrete method was replaced by two four year frameworkagreements – Improvement Works Framework 1 (IWF1) for individual projects up to£500,000 in value and Improvement Works Framework 2 (IWF2) for individualprojects up to £3,497,000 in value. Both frameworks use the same standardspecification and measurement rules.In line with all publically funded organisations, the Council has to conform to aconstitution under Local Government Act 2003 and apply transparency and rigour tothe award of projects under the Public Contracts Act 2006. Information regardingpolicies, procedures and expenditure can be requested by interested parties throughthe Freedom of Information Act 1984 in order to confirm the Council is complyingwith appropriate standing orders. Procurement of construction projects and selectionof suppliers are governed by the Council’s standing orders at first instance and thenby public procurement regulations, provided value thresholds exceed the OfficialJournal of the European Union. These standards are very prescriptive and failure bythe Council to comply may result in a legal challenge from a supplier withappropriate award of damages or the setting aside of a contract.In provision with delivery of services, Hampshire County Council was awarded ‘fourstars’ by the Audit Commission (2009) which represents the highest award availablefor a local authority. The Commission stated that the award was given afterdemonstration of strong management procedures and efficient use of resources.Placing this within an economic context, the gross budget for the Council in 2009/10was £1.7 billion (HCC, 2009) with expenditure for construction activities accountingfor around £170 million as demonstrated in Table 5.2.110