Report on the extension and renewal of transport contracts for children and adults.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Acting Director of Children’s Services in relation to the provision of children and adult transport.

Councillor T Smith, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Lifelong Learning introduced the report which indicated that Wirral Council transported children from home to school and vulnerable adults from home to day centres, placements and educational provision. In addition the Council arranged a contract on behalf of schools to transfer children to swimming baths. The transportation was provided through contracted services from external transport providers and an in-house fleet.  Current contracts were due to expire in July 2013 and required review and action.  The report sought approval to extend some existing contracts through an optional extension and to re-procure other contracts as required.

Councillor H Smith indicated that following further advice received from the Procurement Team the tender for a school transport to the swimming baths would be for 12 to 24 months and not 12 months as detailed within the report. 

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the extension of the Children and Adult Transport contract for a period of 12 months be approved; and

(2)  a procurement exercise for additional transport provision for 12 – 24 months for the school swimming baths be approved.

(3)  a procurement exercise for a smaller Adult contract for 12 months with a 1 year optional extension be approved.