Purpose

Delegated approval to award contracts related
to SEN & Social Care Transport passenger assistant
rates.

Decision

For the reasons set out in this report, the
Corporate Director has decided to:
 
1)   
Award contracts to the providers of Passenger Assistants listed in
exempt Appendix 2 for an initial period of four years with a
two-year extension period available.

Alternative options considered

In house provision. The provision of Passenger
Assistants is mainly through contracted approved suppliers. Of the
586 Passenger Assistants in use, only 38 are directly employed by
the Council. At the current charged rates, employing staff directly
on permanent contracts and council terms and conditions would be
significantly more expensive. This remains under review and will be
assessed again once the new contracts have been awarded, as it may
mean that direct employment of Passenger Assistants by the Council
is again a viable option for the future. However, this option was
discounted for the purpose of these contract awards because of
cost, risk of failing to recruit and be unable to meet a statutory
duty as a result of a lack of
availability of Passenger Assistants.