The Director of Technical Services reported, in accordance with the Approved Scheme of Delegation, upon the procurement process and acceptance of a tender under delegated authority for the provision of Winter Service Bureau and Forecasting Services for the Merseyside Districts, including Wirral. The procurement exercise had been undertaken by Sefton Council on behalf of all five Merseyside authorities and he commented that the bureau services included the weather stations and computer software on which to view and interpret both the forecast and actual real time weather conditions data. Both were supported by a 24 hour consultancy service throughout the winter period and he indicated that the service had traditionally been procured collectively across the Merseyside region to ensure value for money and to minimise costs to each individual authority. There was also the added benefit of being able to share access to each others’ forecast and site data which could be valuable in considering prevailing conditions.

Resolved – That the report be noted.