Purpose

The Pinefield Centre is located in Formby as part of the wider Complementary Education Service. It provides short term, statutory teaching support for pupils who by way of their medical needs are unable to attend their respective mainstream schools.

As part of its educational support to young people Complementary Education provides transport between home and the centre for referred pupils.

For over 5 years this transport has been delivered under a contract with Formby Village Cabs, a local taxi firm in the area.

That contract must now be re-procured in order to be compliant with the Procurement Act 2023.  The procurement would be conducted via a mini competition under the Council’s SEND Transport Provider framework.

This report seeks approval to undertake this mini competition and award a contract for 3 years with a value of c.£280,000 (incl. VAT) to provide transport between home and the Pinefield Centre for young people enrolled at the centre who require transport.

Decision

Decision(s):

1. The authorisation for the Assistant Director Education Excellence to conduct a mini-competition under the Council’s SEND Transport Provider framework to select the most advantageous tender, be noted.
2. That granting of delegated authority to the Assistant Director Education Excellence in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families to award the Contract resulting from the procurement, be noted.

Reasons for the recommendation:

This report sets out the need to undertake a compliant procurement for a suitable transport provider to enable the Council to continue to fulfil its statutory duty to support children and young people who are unable to attend mainstream school due to medical needs.

This report seeks approval to use the Council’s SEND Transport Provider framework, which is fully compliant, to select a provider.  This report also seeks delegation to the Assistant Director Education Excellence to award the contract following completion of the procurement.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

              None.