Content

12.1

The Executive Director, Neighbourhood Services
submitted a report seeking approval to commission transport
provision for a period of up to 5 years (until July 2028). The
report sets out transport services delivered by the Council and
those who benefit from such services. The report also sets out the
need for transport services and explain why a further 5 years of
service provision is required.

 

 

12.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That
Strategy and Resources Policy Committee approves the commissioning
of transport services from private transport contractor providers
for the next 5 years, with an estimated value of £45.4m, as
set out in the report now submitted.

 

 

12.3

Reasons for
Decision

 

 

12.3.1

The commissioning strategy will ensure
continuous delivery of transport services to meet the needs of the
young people. The commissioning strategy will ensure the Council
can fulfil its statutory SEND home to school transport
responsibility and delivery of the Council’s objective of
“Happy young people who have the start they need for the
future they want”.

 

 

12.3.2

The intention to extend the current DPS
(subject to separate Council approval) will continue the control on
the cost per seat.

 

 

12.3.3

The commissioning strategy will continue to
support local transport businesses and local people.

 

 

12.3.4

The commissioning strategy will provide the
opportunity for the Council to support local transport businesses
and help guide then on their carbon reduction journey.

 

 

12.4

Alternatives
Considered and Rejected

 

 

12.4.1

Option 1 – Do nothing. This is not a
realistic option as the control that the current arrangements
provide would be lost. This would lead to a financially
unsustainable and operationally inefficient service. It would also
put the council in a position that no longer aligns to our
strategic objectives in terms of the environment and lower
emissions. The council would also be in breach of its statutory
duties if it could not provide a SEND Home to school transport
service

 

 

12.4.2

Option 2 – Revise the commissioning
strategy so only ULEV and EV vehicles can be used for the provision
of transport. This is not an option. The in-house fleet is CAZ
compliant but the available vehicles on the private contractor
fleet that meet this criterion are currently very limited. This
would mean that the Council would not be able to fulfil the demand
and thus would not be able to meet its statutory obligations in
terms of transport.

 

 

12.4.3

Option 3 – Provide in-house. This is not
a viable option. Due to the increase in demand the current fleet is
near its capacity. In order to cover the work that is currently
serviced by the DPS contract the council would have to increase its
fleet size considerably and have a number of vehicles that would
only have a unique use for this service. In turn this would mean
the council would lose the flexibility that the DPS has to
offer.

 

 

12.4.4

It is worth noting that the introduction of
the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) will impact positively on current taxi
provision by increasing the number of CAZ compliant vehicles
used.