Purpose

This report seeks approval to award the
council’s Public Realm Service contract.

Decision

That:
a)   
Cabinet approves the award of a contract
(the Contract) for the provision of the new Public Realm Services
to the successful bidder in accordance with the Cabinet report
approved on 28 November 2024 and the updated Public Realm Services
model as set out in Appendix 1 for an initial period of 6 years and
10 months (so as to align with Council financial years) and with
the option for the Council to extend for a further 3-year period
subject to and in accordance with the performance review mechanism
set out in the contract.
b)   
Cabinet delegates authority to the
Corporate Director Economy and Environment to:
                        
i.        
Finalise the contract and any ancillary
contract documents;
                      
ii.        
In consultation with Property Services,
agree and enter into the necessary
leases to the successful bidder to enable the provision of the
Public Realm Services;
                     
iii.        
On receipt of payment from the
successful bidder, transfer the Council’s existing equipment
(plant and fleet but excluding the winter maintenance fleet) to the
successful bidder so as to enable the
provision of the Public Realm Services;
                     
iv.        
Accept the transfer of identified roles
(circa 60) pursuant to the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of
Employment Rights (TUPE) from the incumbent; and
c)
Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director Economy and
Environment to make all operational decisions necessary to
implement recommendations a) and b).
 

Alternative options considered

1.            
To reject the recommendation to award the contract
to the successful bidder and to re-tender the
Public Realm Services. This is not recommended. Through the
competitive and comprehensive procurement process detailed in this
report, the successful bidder has
demonstrated the capability to deliver the Public Realm Services in
accordance with the Council’s requirements, strategy and
statutory obligations. To not agree this decision would lead to
significant time and resource implications associated with
re-tendering the procurement, which will result in service
disruption and increased costs to the Council.
 
2.            
To reject the recommendation to award the contract
to the successful bidder and to consider an
alternative delivery model.  This is not
recommended on the basis that various, alternative delivery models
were considered in detail and discounted as set out in a report to
Cabinet of 2 March 2023.