Issue - meetings

Report of the Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods attached.

Decision made (Unanimously):

That

1.    Cabinet approves the capital spend budget of up to £1,450,000.

2.    Cabinet approves the evaluation criteria as follows:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented a report of the Assistant Director of Neighbourhoods that sought approval to spend the allocated budget of up to £1,450,000 and agreement of the procurement evaluation criteria.

The Council’s approved vehicle and plant replacement programme for 2019/20 includes for the replacement of fifteen vehicles and plant.

The Council is committed to develop the greenest possible fleet to deliver services to our residents, and although the current electric/hybrid versions of the vehicles due for replacement on this occasion are still in development stage and not readily available on the open market, these vehicles will be considered as they become available.

In the meantime, all replacement vehicles purchased will be equipped with a minimum Euro 6 compliant or hybrid power units which will result in greater fuel efficiency and greatly reduce the amount of pollutants produced.

The procurement of the replacement vehicles would be through a variety of different methods and an explanation was provided as to the use of a waiver process for the purchase of the two mini sweepers, along with the merits of capital purchasing against leasing.

Tenders will be invited by companies identified within the ESPO framework 215 and would be evaluated on an 80% cost, 20% quality basis which was broken down into the agreed weightings listed in the decision.

Upon completion of the tender process, a further report would be brought back to Cabinet for approval and Members asked for more information that would include whole life comparable costs and disposable income. The Interim Chief Executive assured Members that a financial assessment would be undertaken along with the consideration of all financing options.

It was proposed by Councillor Paul Foster, seconded by Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, and

Decision made (Unanimously):

That

1.    Cabinet approves the capital spend budget of up to £1,450,000.

2.    Cabinet approves the evaluation criteria as follows:

Reason(s) for the decision:

To enable the continued delivery of services to residents of the borough by the provision of effective and suitable vehicles.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

As part of the development of these proposals the following options were considered.

Purchase of replacement vehicles from within the borough – the Council has expressed the desire to whenever possible procure goods and services from companies based within the borough, this will not be possible on this occasion due to the specialist nature of the equipment and a lack of suitable suppliers and manufacturers within the borough.

Retention of existing vehicles – consideration was given to the retention of existing vehicles and equipment, however the likelihood is that these vehicles would over time become unreliable leading to deterioration in the delivery of services. It would also remove the opportunity to reduce current levels of particulates released in to the atmosphere and reduce air pollution within the borough.