A report by the Interim Director of Technical Services asked the Cabinet to consider the recommendation of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee made at its meeting on 26 June 2012 (Minute No. 5 refers) that it should receive, from the Director of Technical Services, a report setting out options for the future delivery of Highway and Engineering Services beyond the end of the current contract with Colas Ltd on 31 March 2014.

The Interim Director’s report sought approval to proposals to deliver the required options appraisal together with the timetable for that appraisal and subsequent activity required to secure a replacement means of service delivery for Highway and Engineering Services from 1 April 2014.

The maintenance of all aspects of the highway infrastructure, including the removal of ice and snow, carried out through the contract, were statutory duties imposed on the Council as the Highway Authority.

Appendix 1 to the report described commercial risks relating to and future procurement exercise for the Highway and Engineering Services.  Appendix 2 to the report detailed information on the tender document for the appointment of consultants to assist with the options appraisal.  These Appendices were exempt from public disclosure in accordance with paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and were considered in the absence of the press and public, (Minute No. 98 refers)

Councillor Harry Smith informed that the procurement process to be undertaken had been driven by Colas’ decision not to want to extend the contract past its current end date of 31 March 2014 on the present terms.  He was pleased that consultants would help with the options appraisal.

Councillor Phil Davies told the Cabinet that he was pleased that a range of options on how the new contract would be delivered would be considered including a range of different models and best practice from other local authorities would be looked at that may be replicated

RESOLVED: That the Cabinet

(1)  notes the content of the report and agrees the principle of using independent consultants to help bring both wider experience and renewed public confidence for the contract recruitment process;

(2)  endorses the activities and timescales required to secure a new service delivery arrangement and approves the proposals for appointment of a consultant to support the Interim Director of Technical Services in the preparation of the options appraisal for the future delivery of the Highways and Engineering Services; and

(3)  requests that the Interim Director of Technical Services reports to the Cabinet on the options appraisal at its meeting on 7 February 2013, so that a decision can be taken with regard to the preferred options.