Issue - meetings

To consider the call–in of the above decision

The Chairman read out the call-in notice signed by 8 Members of the Council relating to the following decision of the Transformation of Highways services sub-committee held on 15 July 2010:

“RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report: -

1.                  That approval be given to the strategic direction of the procurement by way of the Managing Agent Contractor model.

2.                  That the structures that are, and have been, put in place to support the procurement, and the significant resource implications, be noted.

3.                  That the advice concerning the appropriate procurement method, namely by competitive dialogue, be noted.

4.                  That the timetable shown in Appendix 1 of the report be agreed.” 

 On behalf of the Group of Members who had signed the call-in notice, Councillor C Thorley addressed the Committee and outlined the reasons for the call-in which were:

‘The 8 listed councillors below have called in the decision of the Transforming Highways Sub Committee to Corporate Scrutiny on the grounds:

1. That because of the value of this contract it should be subject to scrutiny;

2. That Members have not been given the opportunity to scrutinise other options for the delivery of Highway services, for example, alliances with other authorities;

3. The impact on the employment of Highways Staff by the proposed outsourcing.’

Councillor Thorley added that:

• This was a matter of great concern for the public of Cheshire East and for the staff currently employed within Highways Services.

• There appeared to be an unnecessary rush to complete the procurement process, which was likely  prejudice introducing arrangements to serve the whole of Cheshire.
• There were concerns about how any new arrangements would serve the development control process.

Councillor T Beard, on behalf of the Call-in group, referred to the fact that the existing the Highways Contract with Bam Nuttall contained a clause to allow the Council to extend the contract and that the Council should not at this stage, rule out the possibility of invoking that clause. 

Councillor R Menlove Environment Portfolio Holder, outlined the basis of the decision of the Transformation of Highways Sub- Committee.

He explained that the Head of Regeneration had outlined in her response to the Call-in (which was appended to the agenda for this meeting) the reasons for the original decision of the Transformation of Highways Sub- committee, which were summarised as follows:

1. The transformation of the highways service is a key corporate priority and is one of the five work streams of Total Transport. The decision to progress the procurement of a new highways contract was taken by Cabinet in April and a Sub-Committee was established with delegated powers to make decisions relating to the project within the timelines agreed.
2. The procurement process is using a Competitive Dialogue process which will allow the Council to refine the scope of the new contract through the procurement process over the coming weeks and months.

3. In parallel to the procurement process, the highways service is being re-shaped to reflect the fact that big reductions in capital grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42