Decision

Summary of
Decision
The Cabinet Member for Children and Public
Protection, in collaboration with the Head of Tendering,
Procurement and Commercial Services, has approved a two-year
extension for Passenger Transport (Minibus) contracts, for
Vulnerable Children, Young People & Adults, from 1 September
2024 to 31 August 2026. 
 
The Cabinet Member has also approved changes
to the contract for the Adult Mini-bus service, to reflect
combining routes, changing schedule (route optimisations) and the
addition of a discount for absence of Passenger Assistants and a
contract variation in all three Contracts (Children’s and
Adults Services) to enable adjustment of the pricing element. The
variation will specify how and when prices can be increased, based
on specific criteria such as inflation rates, or cost increases.
Finally, the Cabinet Member has delegated authority to the Director
of Operations & Programmes for Bi-borough Children’s
Services to approve operational changes to any of the Contracts,
including (without limitation) any increases/decreases in activity
or changes to routes, throughout the two (2) year extension
period.
 
Reasons for
Decision
 
The Travel Care Team have reviewed the
performance of the service, sought feedback from key stakeholders,
reviewed service performance, and, as a result, wish to take the
two-year extension across the three
contracts.  Delegation for the approval of this extension
period was not included in the original strategy, developed in
2019, and therefore this is an Executive Decision and requires
Cabinet Member Approval.