Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Locality Services

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Locality Services in relation to cleansing services vehicle fleet procurement. The report indicated that the current refuse collection and recycling vehicle fleet was initially purchased in 2012/13, with the prudential borrowing being repaid over a five year period up to 2017/18. Following the final repayment of all purchase costs, the fleet is currently being operated for an additional two years in 2018/19 and 2019/20.  At seven years old the fleet will have reached the point at which it is no longer reliable, and an increased number of breakdowns would be expected, coupled with greatly increased maintenance costs.  As such, a replacement vehicle fleet will be required.

In order to procure a new fleet during 2020/21, the procurement process must commence over twelve months in advance of the vehicles being required. Therefore, in order to provide continuity of service, approval was being sought to commence the required procurement process in April 2019, albeit with no capital requirement until the 2020/21 financial year.

Decision Made: That

(1)      the requirement to replace the vehicle fleet in 2020/21 be noted and officers be requested to commence the necessary procurement process to obtain tender prices accordingly; and

(2)      it be noted that no commitment will be entered into prior to a further report upon completion of the initial procurement process detailing costs and options and funding proposals.

Reasons for the Decision:

The current fleet is reaching the end of its effective life cycle and needs replacement.

The current fleet is also ‘Euro 5’ diesel, and to meet the revised and enhanced suite of targets, a fleet of ‘Euro 6’ compliant, or the potential or possibility of CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicles, or electric vehicles, must be purchased to meet strict carbon and emissions targets by the EU and UK national Government.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

To not renew the fleet risks the current fleet becoming unmaintainable and the service provision liable to be disrupted. A new fleet greatly reduces/eliminates the risk of service delivery disruption.