Decision details

To approve the creation of a new framework agreement for bus and taxi transport that will provide the Council with an ability to hire-in passenger transport for a period of up to 4 years from January 2014.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Street Scene on the procurement process which had been undertaken to obtain proposed bus and taxi costs to the Council for the operation of the specialist transport services for vulnerable residents in the Borough with effect from 1January 2014.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)       the pricing framework procured through the tendering processbe approved; and

(2)       approval be given for the Specialist Transport Unit to plan and award routes in the most financially advantageous manner to the Council using the new pricing framework, with effect from 1 January 2014.

Reasons for Decision:

To enable the Council to provide a service, to whatever level and volume it requires, for the transportation of vulnerable residents by external bus and taxi companies, and to be able to effectively budget for such expenditure over the coming two years.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

No.  Based upon the level of requests from Commissioning Departments and Sections there was currently an ongoing need for the Council to provide specialist transport to some residents.  As such, this procurement exercise, and the subsequent production of a Framework Agreement, provided the Council with the opportunity to procure services at the most economically advantageous rates, whilst also meeting the stringent Health and Safety, and Safeguarding issues associated with transporting vulnerable clients.