ADD2602 Government and Parliamentary Monitoring Service

1.1.    A central element of the work of the GLA Government Relations team and corresponding teams within the GLA Group and related organisations (together called the ‘GLA Group Government Relations Team’) is monitoring the activities of Government and Parliament and ensuring that staff across the group are kept updated regarding announcements and developments. The effectiveness of this work depends to a great extent on the timeliness and comprehensiveness of the information that we receive, and for this we rely on the information sent to us by a Parliamentary monitoring company. 

• DeHavilland has provided this service for the past four years and they deliver comprehensive monitoring, covering:
  • Legislations
  • Debates and parliamentary questions, committee inquiries
  • Government, party political and other relevant and specified organisations’ press notices
  • Government consultations
  • Elections
  • Budget / Spending Reviews
  • 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.

1.2    The provision for this extension is set out under section 1 of the contract signed between the GLA and Dehavilland Information Services Ltd. A similar extension, under the provisions of the contract was agreed for 2021/22.

2.1     The monitoring service underpins much of the work of the GLA group Government Relations teams, who provide support to their respective organisations in the delivery of public affairs, and engagement with central and local government and parliament.

3.1    Under section 12 of the contract between Dehavilland Information Services Ltd and the GLA it states that: 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
   

4.1    Risks and Issues

The efficiency savings that will be achieved through a group contract ensure value for money, and the information provided will ensure the GLA Group Government Relations Teams are made aware of any government / parliamentary business that could impact on their respective organisations. The current contract will end without an extension on 31 October 2022 so there is a risk that all of the organisations would be without a monitoring service without an extension as set out in the contract and a tender exercise would need to undertaken that could lead to a considerable gap in service.  

4.2    Link to Mayoral Strategies and Priorities

It is vital that the Government Relations Team are kept informed of significant parliamentary business, given our engagement in government legislation that could impact on the Mayor / London and be made aware of significant government announcements that could also have an impact.  
 

5.1    Approval is being sought for the exercise of a contractual option for a further 12 months of service (October 31 2022 – October 31 2023) with Dehavilland Information Services Ltd to provide a government and parliamentary monitoring service for the amount of £31,000. The service would continue to provide members of the GLA Group and related organisations (namely the GLA, TfL, MOPAC, LLDC, MPS, London Fire Commission, London Assembly and London Ambulance Service) with a government and parliamentary monitoring service.

5.2    Each member of the GLA Group and related organisations will contribute towards the cost of this contract equally based on the actual contract cost. The net GLA cost of up to £4,000 will be met from the existing Government Relations Budget. 

5.3    Government Relations team within Strategy and Communications will manage this contract and budget. Officers should also ensure income contributions from members is invoiced for in a timely manner.