Issue - meetings

A draft Stock Management Policy has been developed for consideration and recommend to Cabinet for approval.

The Stock Management Policy was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Corporate Governance and Licensing.

A recent stocks audit undertaken highlighted an absence of formal procedures for the controlling of various areas of stock. Therefore, to strengthen the formal arrangements, an overarching Stock Management Policy was developed. The formation of this Policy was to:

·       Ensure stock is available to support service delivery (waste services, grounds maintenance, housing repairs and ICT equipment).

·       Maintain strong financial and audit controls over all stock items.

·       Reduce waste, loss, theft, and unnecessary disposal.

·       Support compliance with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations.

·       Provide clear responsibilities and procedures for staff handling stock.

·       Ensure accurate, timely stock records for operational and financial reporting.

The Policy was to act as an overarching guide, but services were required to

develop specific stock procedures that are specific to the stocks they held.  These provided operational details of how stock was held, the stock access controls, reconciliation procedures and the movement of stock received and being booked out.

During discussions, the following comments were made:

-       It was confirmed that the purpose of the policy was to codify the overarching principles for stock management control. Operational level procedures could then be developed based on these principles.

Following discussions, it was proposed, seconded, and AGREED to recommend the Stock Management Policy to Cabinet for approval.