Decision details

To seek approval in relation to the future purchasing of cleaning and janitorial goods.

To approve an extension to the current arrangement to purchase cleaning and janitorial products from the current supplier for a further three years from 1 August 2021 to 31 July 2024.

North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) has been purchasing cleaning and janitorial items through YPO since 2014 when a benchmarking exercise identified that YPO offered competitive pricing and had a track record of excellent customer service. There was no contractual obligation for the Council to guarantee volumes and there was a strategic advantage that the Council received a share of the profits created, due to being a part owner. Items are purchased directly from YPO’s catalogue, however, the situation has been reviewed every two years in order to establish whether this approach remains the most appropriate option. To date the decision has been to maintain the arrangement through YPO. The last Gate 4 was approved by Procurement Assurance Board on 28 June 2019.

Orders are placed by the NYES Facilities Management Cleaning and Catering Team and the Buying Team with an average ratio of 80% : 20% respectively.

In line with the two yearly reviews, scoping for provision post July 2021 should have commenced mid-2020. The arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic and introduction of lockdown restrictions in March 2020 put paid to that and resulted in both internal and external (supplier) resources being directed to priority areas, with a sustained focus on maintaining social care provision and PPE supplies. Maintaining an immediate and reliable source of cleaning and janitorial products took precedence over establishing our future requirements.

Following a benchmarking exercise, the price difference was minimal compared to other framework pricing, taking into account the YPO dividend, school loyalty vouchers, no delivery charge or minimum order value. It is recommended that the current situation is maintained for a period of three years taking us to 31 July 2024 and passed any settling in period following the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

N/A.