Issue - meetings

To consider progress to date on the highways procurement project.

The Sub Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director, Places which updated Members on progress achieved since the last meeting in respect of the Highways Procurement Project.  As a precursor to the discussion; the Sub Committee was reminded of the timeframe set out for completion of the project.

Of the nine bidders who had submitted Pre Qualification Questionnaires, five had since been short-listed.  The organisations concerned were to be invited to participate in dialogue to develop outline solutions to meet the requirements of the authority.

Arrangements for managing the transition period from ‘today’ through to the expiration of the current contact and the mobilisation and commencement of the new contract were discussed; the Head of Environmental Services outlining the steps which had been put in place to manage the risks involved in such a challenging period.  As this was not the only impending issue to affect the service, assurances were sought that the potential impact of changes to the Transport Structure and Local Transport Plan Settlement would also be taken into account as part of the process.     

The Sub Committee went on to discuss the potential risks to the Council should the programme slip. On the proviso that the evaluation of solutions was completed on time, officers were confident that the project would remain on track.            

For those directly affected by the changes, a Staff Stakeholder Group had been established to improve the flow of communication.  A Member commented that it was equally important for Councillors to be advised of progress on a regular basis and it was agreed that monthly briefings would, in future, be circulated. 

A Highways Contract Group had been established comprising six members of the Corporate and Environment and Prosperity Scrutiny Committees to monitor the work of the Sub Committee.  Meetings dates for the Group had been scheduled but not widely circulated and as this body was seen as the most appropriate forum at which to consider Members’ questions and concerns, it was proposed that the dates be included in future reports for completeness. 

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.