Purpose

The Council has a statutory duty to secure suitable home to school transport for eligible children and young people.

The Council has established a framework of providers for Travel Support Services and undertaken procurement during 2026 to establish new contracts across 15 lots.

Due to unforeseen issues arising during the implementation of new contractual arrangements for the provision of home to school transport services, there is an immediate risk to the continuity of transport provision from 2 September 2026 in relation to lot 4 [part]. At the present time, these matters are still being resolved and a longer-term solution is being progressed.

In order to ensure that eligible children and young people are able to access education and that the Council can continue to discharge its statutory responsibilities, it is necessary to put in place interim transport arrangements from the start of the academic year.

Council officers have therefore identified suitable providers that were able to mobilise services at short notice and provide continuity of transport provision whilst the outstanding contractual and operational matters are resolved.

Approval is therefore sought, in accordance with the emergency provisions set out in Contract Procedure Rule 9.1.3 (Schedule 1), to award contracts for the period of 2 September 2026 to 31 December 2026. The estimated value of the temporary contract is £0.042m.

Officers within the Whole Life Commissioning Team and Travel Support Team reviewed the costs for the urgent provision period submitted by providers compared to the costs submitted during procurement.  Although there are small variances they are considered reasonable for the delivery of the contract for the period.  The cost of the provision will be met from the approved Home to School Transport budget.

The temporary arrangement will ensure continuity of service, minimise disruption to children, young people and families, and provide sufficient time for the Council to establish longer-term arrangements.

An Equality Impact Assessment has been undertaken and no adverse equality impacts have been identified arising from the proposed decision.

A further report will be brought forward should any additional approvals be required in relation to longer-term arrangements.  The decisions made here will also be reported to a future Cabinet meeting.

Decision

(i)             That, in accordance with the emergency provisions set out in Contract Procedure Rule 9.1.3 (Schedule 1), a contract be awarded to deliver home to school transport for a temporary period of the first term of the school academic year 2026/27 (2 September 2026 to 31 December 2026) to Supreme Executive Travel in relation to part of Lot 4 (Meadow Park); and

(ii)            That the Procurement Team issues relevant contract documentation and any relevant procurement notices to reflect the decision, as appropriate.

Alternative options considered

Main options considered and rejected are as follows:

·       “Do nothing” - this option was rejected as it would result in disruption to home to school transport services for eligible children and young people.

·       Delay implementation of the transport arrangements until contractual issues are resolved - this option was rejected as the outstanding matters cannot be resolved within the timescales required to ensure continuity of service from 2 September 2026.

·       Seek an alternative provider through a further procurement exercise - this option was rejected due to the urgent requirement to secure transport provision and the limited time available before the start of the academic year.