Councillor Jack Cruickshanks (Angus Council), Councillor Carolyne Wilson (Dumfries & Galloway Council) and Councillor Michael McPake (North Lanarkshire Council).

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Executive Sub-committee held on 16 May 2025.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel relative to the Chief Executive’s update report submitted to the meeting of the Scotland Excel Chief Executive Officers Management Group (CEOMG) held on 2 June 2025, a copy of which was appended to the report. 

DECIDED: That the report be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Auditor relative to the Internal Audit Annual Report on Scotland Excel for 2024/25. 

The Annual Report for Scotland Excel was attached as an appendix to the report and outlined the role of Internal Audit, the performance of the Internal Audit Team and the main findings from the internal audit work undertaken in 2024/25 and contained an audit assurance statement. 

DECIDED: That the Internal Audit Annual Report for 2024/25 be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel relative to the award of a fourth-generation renewal framework for the Supply and Delivery of Education Materials for a period of 48 months from the commencement date. It was noted that subject to approval and completion of a standstill period, it was intended that the renewal framework would commence on 1 August 2025.

The report advised that following consultation with the User Intelligence Group (UIG), the framework contained eight lots, as detailed in Table 1 of the report. The report summarised the outcome of the procurement process and advised that the framework had been advertised with a total value of £96 million over the four-year term, a spend of £24 million per annum. Appendix 1 to the report detailed the participation, spend and savings summary for those participating in the framework.

Tender responses had been received from 39 tenderers and a summary of the offers received and the scoring achieved by each tenderer was detailed in Appendix 2 to the report. Following the evaluation process four bidders were excluded as non-compliant. Based on the evaluation undertaken, and in line with the advertised criteria and weightings set out in the report, it was recommended that a multi-supplier framework arrangement be awarded (in whole or in part) to 20 tenderers, as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report, subject to satisfactory conclusion of insurance checks. A commercially focussed evaluation was used to ensure members had access to a range of specialist providers across the lot requirements.  

The report detailed the approach taken by suppliers in relation to fair work practices and their position on the payment of the Real Living Wage together with the other benefits that would be achieved through the framework. The report intimated that, in accordance with Scotland Excel’s established contract categorisation tool, the framework had been classified as class B.

DECIDED: That the award of the framework agreement for the Supply and Delivery of Education Materials, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel relative to the award of a fourth-generation renewal framework for the Supply and Delivery and Installation of Education and Office Furniture for a period of 48 months from the commencement date. It was noted that subject to approval and completion of a standstill period, it was intended that the renewal framework would commence on 1 September 2025.

The report advised that following consultation with the User Intelligence Group (UIG), the framework contained seven lots, as detailed in Table 1 of the report. It was noted that bidders required to be appointed to Lot 1 to be eligible for award on Lot 4 and also that bidders required to be appointed to Lot 5 to be eligible for award on Lot 6. The report summarised the outcome of the procurement process and advised that the framework had been advertised with a total value of £32 million over the four-year term, a spend of £8 million per annum. Appendix 1 to the report detailed the participation, spend and savings summary for those participating in the framework.

Tender responses had been received from 26 tenderers and a summary of the offers received and the scoring achieved by each compliant tenderer was detailed in Appendix 2 to the report. One bidder was found to have submitted an incomplete bid and was excluded from further evaluation. Based on the evaluation undertaken, and in line with the advertised criteria and weightings set out in the report, it was recommended that a multi-supplier framework arrangement be awarded (in whole or in part) to 15 tenderers, as outlined in Appendix 2 to the report, subject to satisfactory conclusion of insurance checks. 

The report detailed the approach taken by suppliers in relation to fair work practices and their position on the payment of the Real Living Wage together with the other benefits that would be achieved through the framework. The report intimated that, in accordance with Scotland Excel’s established contract categorisation tool, the framework had been classified as class E

DECIDED: That the award of the framework agreement for the Supply and Delivery and Installation of Education and Office Furniture, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.

 There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel advising that Albyn Housing Society Limited had applied to become an associate member of Scotland Excel. 

The report provided details of the organisation and the legislative position in relation to the application.

DECIDED: That the application by Albyn Housing Society Limited to become an associate member of Scotland Excel, with an annual membership fee of £5,986, be approved, subject to completion and signing of the agreement documentation.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel advising that Spire View Housing Association Limited had applied to become an associate member of Scotland Excel. 

The report provided details of the organisation and the legislative position in relation to the application.

DECIDED: That the application by Spire View Housing Association Limited to become an associate member of Scotland Excel, with an annual membership fee of £1,321, be approved, subject to completion and signing of the agreement documentation.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel relative to Scotland Excel’s annual Health and Safety Report, in accordance with Renfrewshire Council’s Health & Safety Policy and Plan.

The report intimated that Scotland Excel was required to provide an update to the Sub-committee on the implementation of Renfrewshire Council’s Health & Safety Policy and revisions including the incorporation of corporate polices and guidance documents. 

The report advised that a full review of health and safety had been undertaken and the outcome was that Scotland Excel’s health & safety policies, procedures and practices were embedded well into the organisation with no significant risks identified. Detail was provided of the identified actions which had now been completed and the report noted that Scotland Excel was performing well in health and safety with no major risks or issued identified for 2025/26. Focus would be on measuring performance and continuing to embed the good practices that already existed. During 2024/25, Scotland Excel had no reports of any accidents or incidents.

DECIDED: That Scotland Excel’s annual Health & Safety Report be noted.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the Executive Sub-committee would be held at 9.30 am on 22 August 2025.