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Patsy McGlone
24th October 2010
McGlone: Translink can’t cope,
won’t cope
SDLP Deputy Leader Patsy McGlone has
questioned the validity of the Department of Finance’s awarding of Centre of
Procurement Expertise (CoPE) status to Translink.
The Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company (NITHC), which includes
Translink, was awarded Centre of Procurement Expertise (CoPE) status in 2007
in a process overseen by the Central Procurement Directorate within the
Department of Finance and Personnel. That CoPE status was reviewed in 2009
and NITHC, including Translink, retained its CoPE status.
The Mid Ulster MLA said: “Translink was awarded CoPE status in 2007. That
status was retained following a review in 2009.
“Yet the Regional Development Minister now tells us that Translink has “a
longstanding arrangement” with pension advisers but that they don’t know how
long that arrangement has been in place.
“All they do know is that the average annual spend on that arrangement, over
the last three years, was £96,000. That’s a total of £288,000 over those
three years.
“And the minister also tells us that in July 2010, a year after the CoPE
status was reviewed and retained, Translink finally began a procurement
process for the pensions advisers contract.
“Additionally, the contract for Translink’s Claims & Liability Legal
Services was due for renewal in 2007. Over the last three years the average
annual expenditure has been approximately £130,000 but the contract has yet
to be officially renewed. Again, that’s £390,000 in all.
“Translink have also operated a number of ad-hoc arrangements with firms of
solicitors but can’t find any records of a tender process. The cost of these
arrangements has been estimated at approximately £160,000 per annum over the
last three years. Another estimated, cost of £480,000.
“Despite all its problems Translink still proudly carries its CoPE status,
as, of course, does NI Water. Yet earlier this year the Regional Development
Minister sacked the Board of that agency for alleged procurement
irregularities.
“It really does call into question the validity of the Department and
Finance’s assessment and awarding of CoPE status.
“If they can’t CoPE, who can?”
ENDS
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