Councillor Mike Hakata, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment, and Transport, approved additional funding for the Cycle Confident programme. This decision ensures the continuation of cycle training services until the end of the current contract in February 2024.

Cycle Confident Contract Funding

Councillor Mike Hakata approved a £0.065m variation to the existing contract with Cycle Confident Limited. This additional funding will cover the remaining costs of the cycle training programme, bringing the total contract value to £0.675m. The decision was made to ensure that payments are made to the contractor for services already delivered and planned until the contract's expiry.

The report presented to Councillor Hakata highlighted that the original contract, awarded in March 2018 for three years with a value of £0.450m, had been extended due to increased demand and the impact of COVID-19. An extension of £0.160m was added, covering the period until February 2024. However, a significant uptake in demand and funding from Transport for London (TfL) meant the budget limit of £0.610m was reached earlier than anticipated. Cycle Confident continued to deliver services, leading to costs incurred outside of the original funding agreements.

The alternative of not paying Cycle Confident was rejected, as the organisation had delivered training to schools and community groups in advance of payments. The funding for this service is ring-fenced from TfL's Local Implementation Plan (LIP).

The Cycle Training Contract aligns with the Council's Corporate Delivery Plan 2022-2024 under the theme of Responding to the Climate Emergency, specifically aiming to improve access to alternative transport and reduce reliance on private vehicles. The programme contributes to reducing air pollution, promoting physical health, and alleviating road congestion.

The financial implications for the Council are nil, as the additional £0.065m is fully funded by the LIP grant from TfL. Strategic Procurement confirmed that the proposed variation complies with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, specifically Regulation 72(1)(c), which permits modifications under unforeseen circumstances that do not alter the fundamental nature of the contract and where the increase does not exceed 50% of the original value. The Head of Legal and Governance also confirmed compliance with these regulations.