Purpose

Tameside Council’s electricity contract was due for renewal on 1 April 2027. The council currently utilises the Yorkshire Purchasing Organisation Energy Framework with supply from Npower Business Solutions. The purpose of this report was to seek to extend this arrangement for one year in order to align the electricity and gas contract periods to facilitate more efficient utility management.

Decision

RESOLVED

(i)                That approval be given to the extension of the current electricity contract with Npower Business Solutions via the YPOElectricity and Ancillary Services Framework to 31March 2028.

(ii)              That delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Estates to arrange for the YPO Access Agreement relating to electricity supply to be signed for the period from 1 April 2027 to 31 March2028.

(iii)           That the proposed way forward set out in the report relating to the aim of aligning electricity and gas procurement strategies in order to achieve more efficient contract management from 1 April 2028 and facilitate future collaboration between the STAR Procurement local authorities be noted.

Alternative options considered

•         Utilise the full extension clauses to extend the current supply arrangements for a further four years with no alignment between gas and electricity contracts and reduced potential for STAR Procurement-led collaboration.

•         Full immediate re-procurement of the electricity supply in the current financial year for a further four plus years with no alignment between gas and electricity contracts and reduced potential for STAR Procurement-led collaboration