Issue - meetings

1.       That the Countryside Works framework be awarded to the 34 listed contractors, as set out in the submitted part 2 report.

2.       The authority to approve works via the framework, as detailed in the part 2 report, be delegated to Local Highway Services Group Manager and Countryside Group Manager.

3.       Approval be given for the County Council to continue delegating related services, through formal agency agreements to District and Parish Councils to the Assistant Director for Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding.

Reasons for Decisions:

A full tender process, both in compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Standing Orders, has been completed and the recommendations to provide best value for money. The tender process was constructed based directly on findings from a comprehensive Category strategy, a supplier engagement day and working group meetings. 

Past Agency Agreements with District and Parish Councils have successfully enabled grass cutting, trees and weeds to be locally managed.  New agency agreements will permit joined up working with local influence.

[The decisions on this item can be called in by the Economic Prosperity, Environment and Highways Scrutiny Board]

The Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding introduced the report and informed Members that this contract covered a number of areas including verges, roadside safety, grass cutting, tree surgery and others. He explained that it was a framework agreement that had been created following a successful open day. He said that due to the spread and nature of the works to be undertaken there was no one provider that could provide everything therefore this option increased certainty for residents and met the Council’s duty to provide these services.

It was queried whether this could be used by parish councils and confirmed that close work is undertaken with parishes in this area and this could be considered.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Countryside Works framework be awarded to the 34 listed contractors, as set out in the submitted part 2 report.

2.      The authority to approve works via the framework, as detailed in the part 2 report, be delegated to Local Highway Services Group Manager and Countryside Group Manager.

3.      Approval be given for the County Council to continue delegating related services, through formal agency agreements to District and Parish Councils to the Assistant Director for Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Flooding.

Reasons for Decisions:

A full tender process, both in compliance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and Procurement Standing Orders, has been completed and the recommendations to provide best value for money. The tender process was constructed based directly on findings from a comprehensive Category strategy, a supplier engagement day and working group meetings. 

Past Agency Agreements with District and Parish Councils have successfully enabled grass cutting, trees and weeds to be locally managed.  New agency agreements will permit joined up working with local influence.