Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek approval, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 5.3.2, for the award of contract to Delib Limited for the provision of the Citizen Space digital engagement platform from 30th October 2026 to 29th October 2030, including options to extend for further periods of time up to a maximum of 12 months in aggregate, to 29th October 2031.

Decision

The Director of Corporate Support hereby agrees:-

(i)         That, in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 5.3.2, a Call off Contract be awarded to Delib Limited for the provision of the Citizen Space digital engagement platform from 30th October 2026 to 29th October 2030, including options to extend for further periods of time up to a maximum of 12 months in aggregate, to 29th October 2031; and

(ii)        That the Procurement Team be authorised to make the necessary arrangements for the issue of the relevant contract documentation.

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing: This option was considered and rejected as consultation and engagement activity would continue to be delivered across multiple systems, increasing duplication and resident fatigue and reducing opportunities to coordinate engagement activity across services.

Deliver in house: This option was considered and rejected as the Council does not currently have a centralised platform to coordinate consultation and engagement activity across services. Developing and maintaining an equivalent solution internally would require significant investment in technology and ongoing support.