Issue - meetings

To note the progress made on the transformation of Highway Services

Consideration was given to an update report on the procurement of the new ‘Highway Maintenance Contract’ which was a key work stream within the Total Transport Transformation programme.  The report highlighted that Cheshire East’s roads were a corporate priority, their condition had been deteriorating for several years and the Council aimed to transform the delivery of future highway services, including replacement of the current term maintenance contract as appropriate to driving improvement in highway condition perception across Cheshire East.

C Simpson outlined the timetable for the contract, informing Members that:

• The current contract would end on 5 October 2011
• The procurement process commenced in July 2010, the vision being to procure a more integrated model with a wider range of highway service being contracted out.
• That an evaluation process of the bids received took place and the bidders had been shortlisted to three.
• Detailed evaluation of the three bids was currently underway with a final provider being approved in June 2011.
• A Members Working Group consisting of 6 Scrutiny Members, had been established to review and track progress.

Members raised concerns regarding staff engagement. However it was highlighted there was a Staff Consultation Group which met monthly and that staff had been invited to the work place of the three shortlisted bidders to visit the work place and meet the current staff.

It was noted that the successful bidder would have to meet an outcome specification that would be monitored through performance management and that communication would form part of this specification.

RESOLVED

That the update be noted