Issue - meetings

To consider a confidential report by Councillor Brian Jones, Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to award contracts for local bus services.

RESOLVED that Cabinet authorises the Head of Highways and Environmental Services in conjunction with the Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Transport to award contracts up to the limit within the available budget in accordance with proposals attached in the appendix to the report.  This may require some amendments to the detail of the plan following formal engagement with contractors and the position becoming clearer.

Councillor Brian Jones presented the confidential report seeking Cabinet approval to award contracts for local bus services in accordance with Contract Procedures Rules to the most economically advantageous tenderers.

Officers had tendered a range of options and suppliers had been able to bid for individual contracts for two or more contracts in combination.  There were a number of outstanding areas but Cabinet approval was required to enable officers to let contracts formally in accordance with relevant timescales.  If suppliers were unable to accept what was offered to them at formal award stage subsequent changes would be managed within the budget available.

During a lengthy debate officers responded to questions regarding a range of issues including the evaluation process and ensuring best value for money, due diligence testing, fares and pricing, the specific operation of particular services in different areas of the county together with the viability of particular routes and services.  There was some discussion about the potential for electric buses which was still under consideration and given the tight timescale to bid for funding in that regard it was agreed that the latest position be further considered by the Strategic Investment Group that afternoon.  In terms of the available budget officers advised that the proposals were based on current budgets and assumptions and Cabinet expressed concern regarding the late notification of available funding from the Welsh Government and agreed that the matter be taken up with them directly.

RESOLVED that Cabinet authorises the Head of Highways and Environmental Services in conjunction with the Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Transport to award contracts up to the limit within the available budget in accordance with proposals attached in the appendix to the report.  This may require some amendments to the detail of the plan following formal engagement with contractors and the position becoming clearer.

The meeting concluded at 12.20 p.m.