Decision details

The Cabinet Members agree that:

1.1  A scheme is incorporated as a fully approved item into the capital programme for full approval, in advance of budget setting to allow procurement to progress.

1.2  An uplift of £1,025,000 to the current capital programme for 2019/20, funded by service supported borrowing, which is managed within existing budgets. This report seeks additionality to the current capital programme.

1.3  Fully approve total budget uplift of £1,025,000.

Under this procurement arrangement the Council will own outright the winter service fleet, the Term Service partner will be contracted to operate and fully maintain the vehicles.

The approach will allow better fleet continuity and will no longer be impacted by highway term contract end our extension considerations.

Not to replace – the Winter Service forms part of the statutory duty of the Highway Authority, the winter service fleet is an essential part of the service delivery and would result in service failure if not in place.

Reduce number of vehicles being replaced – 2018/19 Winter Service revenue budget reductions has resulted in the move from 9 to 8 gritting vehicles, further reductions of the fleet will result in not fulfilling adopted Winter Service Policy and impact service resilience during snowfall or prolonged cold spells.

Lease vehicles – leasing these specialist vehicles will be more expensive, as demonstrated through a comparison exercise. Lease terms may not fit with contract renewal arrangements and will limit the ability to prolong fleet usage should condition allow.