Issue details

The freight consolidation centre will require ongoing funding to continue.  Previous growth predictions necessary for reducing the costs have not borne out.  The funding required for the scheme to operate is expected to stay at the current figure which is £270,952 per year across Bristol and B&NES; B&NES current share of this is £124,000. There is £124,000 approved from B&NES reserves for 2016/17, there is no future funding currently approved beyond March 2017.

The council has marketed the scheme to the best of its ability. This has had a limited impact.  Options for bringing the Council’s operations on board have been explored as well but these will not provide the necessary growth levels nor are they currently viable. 

Alternative solutions for reducing council deliveries are being progressed separately which will help to mitigate against 0.2% increase in HGVs and 0.4% increase in heavy duty vehicle emissions expected as a result of closing the scheme.

The current Freight Consolidation contract ends on 30th November 2017.  Prior to this a procurement exercise would need to take place which will have staffing and financial implications.  It is estimated this procurement exercise would take a minimum of seven months to complete.  Either Council can cancel the scheme ahead of the 30th November 2017 by giving 3 months’ notice to terminate the contract.

Bristol has identified the Freight Consolidation Centre as a possible saving in their Corporate Strategy Consultation 2017/2022. They will take a decision on this in January.

A decision now needs to be made as to whether the scheme should be closed down or whether it should continue to be subsidised at the specified level.