ADD2675 Government and Parliamentary Monitoring Service

1.1.    A central element of the work of the GLA Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships team, the London Assembly scrutiny team, and corresponding teams within the GLA Group and related organisations (together, the GLA Group Government Relations team) is monitoring the activities of government and parliament. As part of this, the team must ensure that staff across the group are kept updated regarding announcements and developments related to their areas of responsibility. The effectiveness of this work greatly depends on the timeliness and comprehensiveness of the information we receive. For this we rely on the information sent to us by a parliamentary monitoring company.
1.2.    DeHavilland has provided this service for the past five years. The service includes:
•    comprehensive monitoring on:
o    legislations
o    debates and parliamentary questions, committee inquiries
o    government, party political and other relevant and specified organisations’ press notices
o    government consultations
o    elections
o    budget/spending reviews
o    the King’s Speech
•    forward-planning information, including ministerial diaries and forthcoming business
•    a dedicated, accessible and searchable website for clients
•    general and tailored email alerts on key information
•    contact/biographical information for MPs, peers and government departments
•    a single contact point.
1.3.    The provision for this option for further service is set out under section 1 of the contract signed between the GLA and DeHavilland Information Services Ltd. A similar option for further service, under the provisions of the contract, was agreed for 2022-23 through an Assistant Director (ADD) decision. 
 

2.1.    The monitoring service underpins the work of the GLA Group Public Affairs and Strategic partnerships team; the London Assembly scrutiny function; and the respective teams of the contributing organisations. These teams provide support to their respective organisations in the delivery of a public affairs function; and engagement with central and local government, and Parliament. 

3.1.    Section 12 of the contract between DeHavilland Information Services Ltd and the GLA states: 
“The Authority is under a duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital or civil partnership status, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief, age, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment or disability (a ‘Relevant Protected Characteristic’) (as the case may be) and to promote equality of opportunity between persons who share a Relevant Protected Characteristic and persons who do not share it. In providing the Services, the Service Provider shall assist and cooperate with Authority where possible in satisfying this duty; and where possible shall provide the Services in such a manner as to:
•    promote equality of opportunity for all persons irrespective of their race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion;
•    eliminate unlawful discrimination; and
•    promote good relations between persons of different racial groups, religious beliefs and sexual orientation.”
 

Risks and issues
4.1.    The efficiency savings achieved through a group contract ensure value for money. The information provided will ensure the relevant teams are made aware of any government/
parliamentary business that could impact on their respective organisations. Without exercising the option for further service, the current contract will end on 31 October 2023. As such, there is a risk that all of the organisations would be without a monitoring service, where this option (as set out in the contract) is not taken. In this case a tender exercise would need to be undertaken, which could lead to a considerable gap in service.
4.2.    There are no conflicts of interest to note from those involved in the drafting or clearance of this decision form.
Link to Mayoral strategies and priorities
4.3.    It is vital that the relevant public affairs and scrutiny teams are kept informed of significant parliamentary business, given engagement in government legislation that could impact on the Mayor/London. These teams must also be made aware of significant government announcements that could have an impact.
 

5.1.    This ADD requests approval for GLA spend of £4,428.57 for a further 12 month service option to the DeHavilland parliamentary monitoring service contract. The total contract cost is £31,000, with other function bodies contributing to the overall cost. There is sufficient budget within the this and next financial year to fund this request.