Decision details

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approve to award a framework contract covering all routes for 4 years, to be awarded to framework suppliers based on reverse-auction bidding, as set out in the appendices to this report.

Reasons for decision

This report was brought before Cabinet to seek approval to establish a framework agreement for 4 years covering Home-to-School Transport for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). The agreement covered approximately 160 car and minibus routes for home to school transport for children with SEN. Cabinet considered that the use of the reverse auction methodology provided best value for money, whilst meeting statutory obligations under the Education Act 1996, and Education and Inspections Act 2006, and to deliver Council’s priorities.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Cabinet considered but rejected the option of providing all transport using the Council’s own vehicle resources as there was not a strong business case to increase the Council fleet to provide solutions to transport delivery.

Officers to action:

Paul Philpot, Education and Children’s Services

Exempt Information

This report was included in Part II as it contained information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) and the public interest in withholding the information outweighed the public interest in disclosing it (exempt information under paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 as amended.