Agenda item

Report of the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment.

Recommendations

1.    To approve the re-procurement of the current transport framework using a dynamic purchasing system as detailed at option c.

Consideration was given to the report which explained that the Council’s Transport Service had a statutory obligation to provide daily transport between home and school for more than 760 children. This figure changed constantly and continued to increase year on year. The Service also facilitated journeys for 52 adults in order for them to attend day centre provision and Adult Care provisions.

The existing contractor framework was introduced in April 2017 and had been due to expire in April 2021. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the framework had been extended to August 2022. In order to ensure arrangements were in place following the end of the current framework, the Council was required to re-procure the external provision and proposed to use a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) going forward. The DPS would improve the quality of the Service, drive innovation, increase competition and reduce costs. If agreed, the new arrangements would come into effect in September 2022 and align with the academic year.

The main advantage of the DPS system was that it allowed suppliers to join at any point, giving wider flexibility to the Service and better opportunities to local businesses.

Resolved:

That the re-procurement of the current transport framework using a Dynamic Purchasing System as detailed in Option C be approved.