That:

a)    Cabinet approves the award of a contract (the Contract) for the provision of the new Public Realm Services to the successful bidder in accordance with the Cabinet report approved on 28 November 2024 and the updated Public Realm Services model as set out in Appendix 1 for an initial period of 6 years and 10 months (so as to align with Council financial years) and with the option for the Council to extend for a further 3-year period subject to and in accordance with the performance review mechanism set out in the contract.

b)    Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director Economy and Environment to:

                         i.         Finalise the contract and any ancillary contract documents;

                       ii.         In consultation with Property Services, agree and enter into the necessary leases to the successful bidder to enable the provision of the Public Realm Services;

                      iii.         On receipt of payment from the successful bidder, transfer the Council’s existing equipment (plant and fleet but excluding the winter maintenance fleet) to the successful bidder so as to enable the provision of the Public Realm Services;

                      iv.         Accept the transfer of identified roles (circa 60) pursuant to the Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment Rights (TUPE) from the incumbent; and

c) Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director Economy and Environment to make all operational decisions necessary to implement recommendations a) and b).

1.             To reject the recommendation to award the contract to the successful bidder and to re-tender the Public Realm Services. This is not recommended. Through the competitive and comprehensive procurement process detailed in this report, the successful bidder has demonstrated the capability to deliver the Public Realm Services in accordance with the Council’s requirements, strategy and statutory obligations. To not agree this decision would lead to significant time and resource implications associated with re-tendering the procurement, which will result in service disruption and increased costs to the Council.

2.             To reject the recommendation to award the contract to the successful bidder and to consider an alternative delivery model.  This is not recommended on the basis that various, alternative delivery models were considered in detail and discounted as set out in a report to Cabinet of 2 March 2023.