Purpose

Cabinet is recommended to
approve the Open Procurement for the recommissioning of the
In-Borough Home to School Transport Service.
 

Content

Cabinet:

(1)         
approved the commencement of an Open Procedure
exercise for the recommissioning of the In-borough Home to School
Transport contract for children and young people with SEND aged
5-19 and up to 25 for young people with an EHCP and who are
residents of Waltham Forest. The contract will commence on
1st September 2025 for an initial three (3) year period
until 31st August 2028, with the option to further
extend for a further two (2) years until 31st August
2030. (The total spend on the transport
contract in 2023/24 was £3,328,197 against a budget of
£2,278,300); and

(2)         
delegated approval of the appointment of the
successful provider and contractual arrangements to the Strategic
Director of Children Services, in consultation with the Strategic
Director of Stronger Communities, the Strategic Director of
Resources and the Portfolio Lead Member for Children’s
Services.
 
Options & Alternatives
Considered

 
In
assessing the future strategic options for the delivery of the
in-borough home to school transport, the effective strategic
options include:

 

·        
Open procedure procurement.

·        
Do nothing (not viable).

·        
Collaborative procurement with neighbouring
boroughs.

·        
Combine more than one element of the overall SEND
transport provision.

·        
Manage the service in-house.

·        
Direct award to the current provider.