SCHOOLS are being presented with “disproportionate” quotes for repairs and maintenance by a council’s approved contractors, it has been claimed.
Councillor Paul Pavia, who is also a school governor, questioned how “value for money” is assured in the process for commissioning and buying services from a list of approved suppliers and contractors.
The Chepstow Mount Pleasant Conservative said: “I’m a school governor and I’ve seen quotes recently I think are disproportionate and how do we focus on those as part of our procurement framework and ensure we get value for money?”
Labour cabinet member Ben Callard, who is responsible for Monmouthshire County Council’s finances, said the issue had been raised at a recent meeting with school governors.
The Llanfoist and Govilon councillor said: “They raised exactly this question about the costs associated with them contracting some of this work, and some of the costs.
“I’m with them half the time when you see some of the costs associated with what you, or I, might think to be minor works from some contractors it does raise a value for money question.”
He said the council has told schools they are “welcome” to bring forward contractors who could be added to the approved contractor list, or framework, or he said schools can provide quotes for the authority to approve.
But he cautioned: “The question is do schools have the capacity to go out and get quotations, I appreciate it’s not straightforward but value for money is something we are all aware of.”
Cllr Pavia said it is a “big risk” for headteachers to take responsibility for repair works and “project manage them” though he understood there is support in place from the council.
