Issue - meetings

Meeting: 29/06/2021 - Cabinet (Item 8)

8 Future Highways Services Contract pdf icon PDF 860 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

Cabinet had received and agreed a report on 2 March 2021 that set out the rationale and proposed way forward for the procurement of the Highways Services Contract.  In addition it had been agreed that a future paper would be presented to Cabinet to seek views and agreement on the evaluation and quality criteria that would be used to determine the selection process and outcome of the procurement exercise as well as the criteria and process for determining any potential future extensions of the contracts.

 

The proposal had also agreed the formation of an Alliance.  The Cabinet report set out the proposed governance arrangements and format of how the alliance would function and operate.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)               That the progress made to date on the procurement of the new Highways Services Contract be noted.

(2)               That the evaluation and quality criteria for determining the new service providers be agreed.

(3)               That the extension criteria and process be agreed.

(4)               That the proposed change in name for the Service and the terms of the Alliance be noted.

Minutes:

Cabinet had received and agreed a report on 2 March 2021 that set out the rationale and proposed way forward for the procurement of the Highways Services Contract.  In addition it had been agreed that a future paper would be presented to Cabinet to seek views and agreement on the evaluation and quality criteria that would be used to determine the selection process and outcome of the procurement exercise as well as the criteria and process for determining any potential future extensions of the contracts.

 

The proposal had also agreed the formation of an Alliance.  The Cabinet report set out the proposed governance arrangements and format of how the alliance would function and operate.

 

The Cabinet Member for Transport introduced the report as follows:-

 

·              The Council’s £45m per annum contract for highways services delivered all aspects of transportation and highways services, in terms of maintaining the highway. The current service was provided by Ringway Jacobs (RJ).

·              Certain teams have already been transferred back to the Council. The proposed model comprised of a hybrid of arrangements to provide quality and value for money, whilst maintaining resilience in delivering services and giving the client greater control over the prioritisation of works.

·              Appendix 1 of the report showed key milestones and the Service Director for Highways and Technical Services reported that the Project Team were confident of being about to commence the new contracts on 1 April 2023 allowing for a minimum of 6 months for mobilisation. They were looking to hold the Service Provider Engagement Day on 8 July 2021 with contract award in August 2022. There was always a financial risk around any procurement exercise. They were looking for a quality/price split of 60/40%.

During discussion by Cabinet Members the following points were noted:-

 

·              Cabinet Members welcomed the name change from Transport for Bucks to Buckinghamshire Highways as it not only reflected what the service comprised but gave it an identity that was both recognisable to the communities and corporately to Buckinghamshire Council.

·              The Cabinet Member for Property and Assets emphasised the importance of good communications with Town and Parish Councils with clear explanation of any changes in organisational structures and to reassure them that there would be no changes to the work of Local Area Technicians. He also referred to penalties or sanctions with regard to poor delivery. The Cabinet Member for Transport reported that communication was vital and information was already being shared on the procurement process. The Deputy Member for Community Safety emphasised the importance of keeping all Members up to date and that Community Boards would be a good vehicle for this. In response it was noted that there would be updates on delivery of the current programme, updates on the procurement programme and finally the new contract.

·              In previous years Members had previously identified the criteria and process for incentivising and offering any potential extensions to the contracts had been a key issue. The agreed contract duration would be 8 years with the opportunity to award  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8