Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Planner, concerning the proposed introduction of organised bicycle rides, managed and delivered by British Cycling, to encourage cycling in Rotherham. The report stated that British Cycling, in partnership with Sky television, are undertaking a high profile national ‘Go Sky Ride’ programme, working with local authorities across the country to increase participation in cycling for active travel and/or leisure through led Sky bike rides.

Within Rotherham, British Cycling would manage and deliver a series of led Sky bike rides throughout the Borough in the Summer and Autumn of 2014 for cyclists of varying abilities. There would be a number of easy, steady and challenging led rides. This project will increase the number and frequency of people cycling and encourage local residents to travel more actively and to cycle for leisure.

Members considered that the cost of the project provided by British Cycling should exempt from Standing Order 47.6.3 (contracts above £20,000 but less than £50,000) on the basis that this project is unique and has a sole provider. Sport England has commissioned British Cycling to deliver cycle participation outcomes as part of the four years whole sport plan cycle (2014-2017). In turn, British Cycling:-

-          is the only Cycle Sports National Governing body to receive Sport England and UK Sport Lottery funding, enabling the provision of considerable revenue match funding for the project;

-          has a number of commercial partners and sponsors (e.g. Sky television), enabling them to provide a considerable amount of in-kind expertise and support;  and

-          would also support the local authority in its cycling ambitions, along with the development of strategies and plans.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That this Council enters into a contract with British Cycling to manage and deliver led Sky bicycle rides which are to be promoted by Sky television, British Cycling and the Council.

(3) That this project shall be exempt from the provisions of Standing Order 47.6.3.

Consideration was given to a report, presented by the Transportation Officer, concerning the proposal that Rotherham should take the lead on a strategic Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport funded project to help bring the Hydrogen Minigrid at the Waverley Advanced Manufacturing Park back into use to fuel a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle as a demonstrator for the technology. This project would place South Yorkshire at the forefront of these technologies in the United Kingdom and has agreed funding from a strategic allocation of South Yorkshire Local Transport Plan Integrated Transport Block.

Members noted that, once the vehicle is procured and the facility brought back into use, the vehicle will be made available to a range of organisations across South Yorkshire over a period of four years to demonstrate the applicability of the technology across as wide a variety of applications as possible. Most of the other vehicles will be operating in the London area. The South Yorkshire vehicle will be the only one using hydrogen fuel manufactured via the wind turbine process.

The funding will be divided between procurement of the Hyundai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (HFC-EV) and ancillary equipment needed to upgrade the refuelling facility at Waverley Advanced Manufacturing Park. As there is only one supplier of fuel cell cars, the procurement of the vehicle is to be treated as a sole supplier, which requires the suspension of the Council’s standing orders.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That the nature and scope of the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle project, as now reported, with this Council leading on the procurement and the liaison with partner authorities in South Yorkshire and in the private sector, be noted.

(3) That the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle project shall be exempt from the provisions of Standing Order 48.2 (contracts valued between £50,000 and £500,000) enabling the Council to enter into a contract with ITM Power, as detailed in the report now submitted.

(nb: subsequent to this meeting and in view of the need to enter into the contract before Easter 2014, according to the procurement timescale, The Mayor gave the necessary authorisation to exempt this decision from the Council’s call-in procedure)

The following items are likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006 – information relates to finance and business affairs)

Resolved:- That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended (information relating to the financial/business affairs of any person (including the Council)).

Further to Minute No. G138 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member and Advisers for Regeneration and Development held on 8th May, 2013, consideration was given to a report, presented by the Corporate Facilities Manager, concerning the invitation of tenders for the contract for the servicing and maintenance of the mechanical and electrical systems within the Council’s Riverside House building. Approval was being sought for an exemption from contract Standing Orders to allow NG Bailey to continue to provide the annual servicing and maintenance of Riverside House for three months until 30th June, 2014. The new contract is expected to begin during July, 2014, subject to the receipt of satisfactory tenders.

Resolved:- (1) That the report be received and its contents noted.

(2) That, in accordance with the details contained in the report now submitted, the contract for the servicing and maintenance of the mechanical and electrical systems within Riverside House be exempt from the provisions of Standing Order 47.6.3 (contracts above £20,000 but less than £50,000) and the existing contract be continued with NG Bailey for three months until tenders have been evaluated and a new contract arranged with a suitably qualified mechanical and electrical contractor.

Resolved:- That tenders for the contract for building alterations to the Joint Service Centre at Aston-cum-Aughton be invited from the select list of contractors now reported.