Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Thomas introduced the report which provided an update on the school transport procurement process and detailed the main changes in transport provision which was to be introduced from September 2017.

                        The first stage of the procurement process was complete with 47 suppliers having passed the pre-qualification stage.  The second stage commenced on 11^th June with route information being made available to all suppliers who would be invited to price each route, on a rate per mile basis, and provide rates per mile for each category of vehicle required to deliver the service within a stated area.  The new procurement arrangements would deliver the savings planned for the service.

                        Transport may be provided by means of school contract transport services or existing public transport services which, together with the type of transport, would be dictated by cost effectiveness.  In some cases one contract bus may transport different pupils to more than one school site.  Transport would normally be to and from bus stops or pick-up points for groups of pupils and it would only be provided from door-to-door in exceptional circumstances.  The maximum distance a pupil was expected to walk to and from pick-up-points would depend upon age, individual needs and the nature of the route they were expected to walk.  Pick-up and drop-off points and time of pick up were being reviewed however the existing policy would be applied, unless there were exceptional circumstances.

                        Councillor Attridge complemented the team on the work that had taken place on the project which demonstrated a good example of working with business partners.  He also passed on his appreciation to the contractors who had been involved in the process.  The Chief Executive concurred with the comments of Councillor Attridge and added that this was evidence of teams working together to better manage the commercial market and to produce efficiencies.  He also thanked the team for the successful outcome of the project.

RESOLVED:

That the likely impact from the School Transport procurement process detailed in the report be noted.