Purpose

As part of preparations for the New Public
Realm Service, this report seeks approval for the procurement of a
new Highways and Public Realm Schemes Framework. The new framework
will be used for the delivery of schemes, forming part of a mixed
economy model approach for the service alongside the new Public
Realm Contract that will come into place on 1st June
2026.

Decision

a)   
Cabinet Member agrees to the
establishment of a Highways and Public Realm Schemes Framework,
estimated to commence in April 2026 for a period of 4 years as set
out in this report and as per the Lot structure listed in Appendix
2. The overall contract value of the framework across all Lots is
estimated to be £100 million excluding VAT. This is in order
to support the mixed economy for the delivery of highway and public
realm schemes and relating to a new approach to the Public Realm
Services contract;
b)   
Cabinet Member delegates authority to
the Major Contracts Programme Director to carry out the procurement
and award of the Highways and Public Realm Schemes Framework, as
set out in recommendation (a), to successful bidders that meet the
criteria.
c)   
Cabinet Member delegates authority to
the Major Contracts Programme
Director to take all necessary operational decisions to deliver
recommendations (a) and (b) above.
 

Alternative options considered

1.             
To reject this strategy and to not procure a new
Highways and Public Realm Schemes framework. This is not
recommended as to rely on one-off and spot tenders could jeopardise
the timely delivery of works associated with the Council’s
Capital Programme and the delivery of the highway maintenance
capital funding received from the Department for Transport on an
annual basis. Rejecting this strategy would also go against the
Councils mixed economy for the delivery of highways and public
realm schemes as part of the approach to the New Public Realm
Services contract.