URL: https://democracy.ipswich.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1386

Decision Maker: Officer Decision

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The Council has a statutory duty to provide street name plates, which are important not just in terms of helping the general public find their way, but also to guide the emergency services when responding to urgent calls, including at night and when the weather is poor. The Council had a supplier of street name plates who had won the work following a competitive tendering exercise, but the company in question went into administration.   In 2024 an exemption from Contract Standing Orders was granted to allow the Council to purchase street name plates from an alternative supplier (G&G Signs Ltd) who were one of the other bidders in the earlier competitive tendering exercise and who are able to manufacture street name plates to the Council’s specifications. A contract for street name plates for 1 year was entered into in October 2024.   A further exemption from the requirement for competition in Contract Standing Orders has been agreed on the grounds of urgency to cover the provision of street name plates for orders placed in 2025/2026, in order for the Council to be able to continue to meet its statutory duty and to avoid a loss of service. The alternative decision would be to wait until a full procurement exercise has been carried out but there is insufficient time to allow for this. Orders to a maximum value of £20,000 are required for the remainder of the 2025/2026 financial year. There is money within the budget to cover the relevant contractual cost.

Content: The Council has a statutory duty to provide street name plates, which are important not just in terms of helping the general public find their way, but also to guide the emergency services when responding to urgent calls, including at night and when the weather is poor. The Council had a supplier of street name plates who had won the work following a competitive tendering exercise, but the company in question went into administration.   In 2024 an exemption from Contract Standing Orders was granted to allow the Council to purchase street name plates from an alternative supplier (G&G Signs Ltd) who were one of the other bidders in the earlier competitive tendering exercise and who are able to manufacture street name plates to the Council’s specifications. A contract for street name plates for 1 year was entered into in October 2024.   A further exemption from the requirement for competition in Contract Standing Orders has been agreed on the grounds of urgency to cover the provision of street name plates for orders placed in 2025/2026, in order for the Council to be able to continue to meet its statutory duty and to avoid a loss of service. The alternative decision would be to wait until a full procurement exercise has been carried out but there is insufficient time to allow for this. Orders to a maximum value of £20,000 are required for the remainder of the 2025/2026 financial year. There is money within the budget to cover the relevant contractual cost. To enter into a contract for the supply of street name plates with G&G Signs Ltd to a maximum value of £20,000 for a period of one year.   Reason: To ensure that the street name plates can be installed in a timely manner.

Date of Decision: October 3, 2025