Councillor Tony Smith introduced a report by the Director of Children’s Services which stated that Wirral Council transported children from home to school and vulnerable adults from home to day centres, placements and educational provision.  The transportation was provided through contracted services from external transport providers, an in-house fleet and additional commissioned transport as required.  Current external contracts were due to expire in summer 2014 and new contracts were required in order to fulfil the transport requirements for eligible students and adults based on Wirral Council transport policies.  The report sought approval to award new transport contracts.

In accordance with the Constitution (Standing Order 35) the Cabinet was also requested to waive call-in as the decision required to be taken in respect of this matter was considered urgent as the delay likely to be caused by the call-in process would seriously prejudice the Council’s and the public’s interest given that the existing contracts were due to expire in summer 2014.  The Chief Executive had confirmed that if Cabinet agreed to waive call-in, the decision was reasonable in the circumstances and should be treated as a matter of urgency.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  in accordance with Contract Procedure Rules, the contracts for the transportation service outlined in the report be awarded to the most economically advantageous tender for each contract; and

(2)  that the decision to award the transportation services contracts as detailed in paragraph 12.1 is urgent for the reasons set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report and not therefore subject to call-in.