Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (MFRA) will continue to use Liverpool Council for its electricity supplies despite a “disaster” and will consider its options moving forward.
In a move that is expected to cost the authority an additional £1m, members have agreed to continue its long-standing utilities agreement for the next 10 months amid a litany of failures at Liverpool Council. A series of mistakes and miscommunications earlier this year led to the local authority being placed onto a higher tariff that will add millions to its own bill and those of city schools and the fire service, who are involved in the same deal.
With the mandatory cut off date for a contract to be secured with Crown Commercial Services (CCS) looming, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority held an urgent committee meeting to discuss whether to retain its partnership with Liverpool Council, which has stood for 36 years. Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan said alternative options will be considered for MFRA for future procurement of utilities from March 2023 onwards and the outcome of Liverpool Council’s own independent review into the management of its electricity contract will be considered.
