Library Service Future Arrangements

Request:

“In a Cabinet paper dated 11/11/15 and entitled Library Service Future Arrangements, it was stated: “Soon after this decision [in March 2015], the Council procured professional, independent support in the areas of business planning, accountancy, law and tax. Mutual Ventures and Winckworth Sherwood were appointed.”

Please supply the dates and amounts in payments for services procured from Mutual Ventures from March 2015 to the present (June 2017). Please supply the dates and amounts in payments for services procured from Winckworth Sherwood from March 2015 to the present (June 2017). Please confirm whether or not services are still being procured from Mutual Ventures and Winckworth Sherwood.”

Response:

Mutual Ventures were procured by Devon County Council (DCC) on a fixed contract term to support the delivery of the externalisation of the Library service.

Winckworth Sherwood was engaged by Mutual Ventures as part of their contract with DCC. There was no direct contractual relationship between Devon County Council and Winckworth Sherwood.

Payments made to Mutual Ventures for the Library externalisation contract were:-

28/03/16 – £39,300

07/12/15 –  £54,150

11/05/15 –       £900

04/05/15 –      £978.52

All the above figures are inclusive of VAT.

Please note that the above excludes two legal disbursements to reimburse Winckworth Sherwood for the Libraries Unlimited company incorporation fees of £198 and £186.

The contract work was completed on 31st March 2016 and 28th March 2016 was the final payment. ‘