Agenda item

This report reviews quarter 2 of Medway Norse’s trading in its second year of operation. 

Discussion:

The Assistant Director Legal and Corporate Services introduced Mr Ian Price, Operations Director, Medway Norse and Mr Clive Ivil, the Managing Director of Quadron. Mr Ivil had been invited at the request of the Committee at its meeting on 3 July 2014 because Quadron was the grounds maintenance subsidiary of Medway Norse.

It was reported that there had been an excellent turnout at the opening of the new depot facility at Pier Approach Road, Rochester, to which Committee members had been invited, on 25 September 2014.  Medway Norse was thanked for a useful and informative Open Day.

Members raised a number of points and questions including:

·                    Facilities Management – In response to a question about the correct telephone number to call when reporting problems and the failure of reported problems being acted upon, the Operations Director of Medway Norse undertook to furnish Councillors with a direct dial contact number.

·                    Grounds Maintenance – There was some Member dissent with the statement in paragraph 3.18 of the report that the grounds maintenance service had been consistent during the past quarter. Reference was made to the development of a particular meadow and the fact that whilst it was being managed effectively initial concerns raised by residents could have been mitigated much earlier by more effective communication. In relation to this matter, Medway Norse was recommended to contact the Green Space Forum.

·                    Grounds Maintenance - The Managing Director of Quadron reported that there had been a difficult start to the season caused by inclement weather, staff adjusting to the new arrangements and the introduction of new equipment with regard to grass cutting and weed spraying. Lessons had been learned and there was now a good platform to take the service forward with an ongoing commitment to delivery of high standards. With regard to grass verges the Committee was advised that collection of grass cuttings and litter picking was not included in the contract specification. It was a “cut and fly “ contract. However, it was the responsibility of the operatives to pick up litter disturbed or shredded by grass cutting activities. The Managing Director of Quadron accepted there needed to be better co-ordination between the grass cutting and litter picking contracts and he undertook to look into the matter and report back to the Committee.

·                    Special Educational Needs (SEN) Transport – Members stated they had been impressed by the new vehicles for the SEN transport service on display at the depot open day and asked if Norse had plans to expand their transport activities. Particular reference was made to transport for children and bidding for the transport contract at Medway Maritime Hospital. The Committee was advised that the SEN transport service had to be non-profit making. A different type of approach would have to be used for a commercial transport contract. In addition, it was pointed out the vehicles used for SEN transport service were governed by school hours.

·                    Finance and Business Development – Further to a question regarding gaining external contracts, the Committee was advised that Medway Norse had recently tendered for £4 million of external work. However, two of the largest contacts had been under priced and had the contracts been won, Medway Norse would have lost money. In addition, it had been noted that the skills profile of current employees would not have been appropriate to service some parts of the contracts. The Operations Director, Medway Norse reported that the post of Business Development Manager had been advertised for a second time after an unsuccessful recruitment process first time round.

Decision:

The Committee noted the report and agreed that:

(a)       the Committee’s appreciation be forwarded to Medway Norse staff for the Open Day at the Pier Approach Road depot;

(b)            Councillors be supplied with a direct contact number for Medway Norse; and

(c)        the Managing Director of Quadron investigate the need for better co-ordination between the grass cutting and litter picking contracts and to report any improvements put in place to the Committee.