Issue - meetings

Background:

This report sought approval for the award of contracts providing subsidised local bus services and the MY school bus services through the mechanism of a Dynamic Purchasing System.

Additional funding had been confirmed for 2023/24, therefore the contracts could be let within the approved budget for that year. The additional grant required to cover the full-term of these contracts was not yet confirmed and Cabinet was therefore asked to instruct officers to take action to contain expenditure within the approved budget for each year of the contracts.

An Exempt Appendix to the report set out details of the proposed contracts to be awarded.

The Council’s decision to award these contracts would be subject to observing the procurement standstill period of a minimum of 10 days in accordance with the requirements of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The Council would be unable to conclude any contracts before the end of the standstill period.

Reasons:

The award of the bus contracts, and the MY school bus services, will ensure the continued provision of socially necessary bus services in Medway, facilitating access to key services and providing residents, visitors and businesses with sustainable transport options that support the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Existing central government BSIP+ grant funding will offset any overspend during the first two years of the contract, whilst it is expected that future BSIP+ grant funding allocations from central government will address any overspend during contract years 3 to 5 inclusive.

If future BSIP+ funding is not confirmed, an efficiency review of these supported services within the first two years of the contract will ensure that any spend during contract years 3 to 5 remains in line the Council’s available budget, ensuring that the Council continue commissioning services which provide best value for money.