Issue - meetings

Enforcement Agent Commissioning

Meeting: 08/01/2026 - Cabinet (Item 185)

Webcast for 08/01/2026 - Cabinet

185 Enforcement Agent Commissioning PDF 518 KB

Purpose:

To seek approval to initiate a procurement process to tender for the provision of Enforcement Agent services.

Recommendations:

That Cabinet resolves to:

1. Approve the process to undertake a procurement exercise to appoint enforcement agent services for the council

2. Note that the procurement exercise will be undertaken via a Dynamic Purchasing System; and in partnership with five other Local Authorities.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The purpose of the report was to seek approval to initiate a procurement process to tender for the provision of Enforcement Agent services.

Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report and highlighted that the report sought formal approval to initiate a procurement process for Enforcement Agent services, as the current contract was due to expire on 2 October 2026, this to ensure service continuity and compliance with procurement regulations.

The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Coleman and seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.

Resolved that Cabinet:

1. Approved the process to undertake a procurement exercise to appoint enforcement agent services for the council.

2. Noted that the procurement exercise would be undertaken via a Dynamic Purchasing System; and in partnership with five other Local Authorities.

Voting record:

7 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstentions.

Minutes:

The purpose of the report was to seek approval to initiate a procurement process to tender for the provision of Enforcement Agent services.

Councillor Patrick Coleman, Cabinet Member for Finance, introduced the report and highlighted that it sought formal approval to initiate a procurement process for Enforcement Agent services, as the current contract was due to expire on 2 October 2026, ensuring service continuity and compliance with procurement regulations.

He welcomed the report, noting its clarity and the principle of procuring services in partnership with five other councils, including West Oxfordshire and four other Gloucestershire district and city councils. He thanked officers for their work on commissioning and tendering and commented that the district generally experienced high levels of compliance, with only occasional exceptions.

Officers clarified that West Oxfordshire would be included within the joint procurement arrangement, but that contracts would be awarded individually by each local authority, ensuring no complications would arise from Local Government Reorganisation. It was further confirmed that the report related specifically to the recovery of financial debts, such as unpaid council tax, business rates, or charges for services, and was distinct from regulatory enforcement matters covered under separate enforcement policies.