Decision details

Everybody Benefits Framework Procurement

Decision Maker: Assistant Chief Executive - HR & Business Support

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Contracts which underpin the Council’s current Everybody Benefits Framework expire on 30th November 2024. The authority is looking to re-procure a framework for the provision of employee benefit discounts with salary sacrifice schemes.
It is proposed that the tender is divided into 6 lots:
Lot 1: Employee discount platform
Lot 2: Green car scheme
Lot 3: Home technology scheme
Lot 4: Cycle to work scheme
Lot 5: Childcare voucher scheme
Lot 6: Health cash plan scheme
The decision to be taken relates to procurement of the overarching Framework which has a significant published contract value, with the spend through the framework higher than £500k when it comes to employee participation. This is an in/out spend resulting in the council saving on the participation rather than spending from existing budgets.

Decision:

To go ahead and procure the contracts for the Everybody Benefits Framework through the Council’s Procurement and Contract Management Service, with a Gateway report considered in accordance with the Council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules.

The Everybody Benefits Framework is part of the Pay and Reward policy framework. The Everybody Benefits scheme has been in place for staff at the Council since 2007 to provide discounts to employees of both local and national retailers of goods and services, and to provide a platform from which employees could access salary sacrifice schemes. The scheme is also intended to aid in recruitment, retention and align with the Authority’s sustainable development objectives.

The schemes have been well used by Council employees over the years; currently approximately 8000 users are registered on the platform and the framework lots have been taken up by 28 organisations.

In the interests of transparency to note in this decision record that the decision taker leases a car through the current lease scheme.

Reasons for the decision:

To allow for a full procurement exercise to be completed across 6 lots for the Everybody Benefits Framework.

The decision has been taken as the overarching framework which has a significant published contract value, with the spend through the framework higher than £500k when it comes to employee participation. This is an in/out spend resulting in the council saving on the participation rather than spending from existing budgets.

Alternative options considered:

N/A

Publication date: 16/05/2024

Date of decision: 16/05/2024

Effective from: 24/05/2024

Accompanying Documents: