Report of Executive Director (Environment & Place) to follow

The Committee received a report of the Executive Director (Environment & Place), by way of pre-Cabinet Scrutiny, that sought Cabinet’s approval to award the contract Waste and Street Cleansing Services to the highest scoring bidder with the relevant delegated authority to proceed to the completion of contracts.

The Committee also had before it a confidential appendix that provided a high-level breakdown of the results of the procurement to inform the contract award.  It was noted that the names of the bidders could not be disclosed at this stage as the procurement remained live at this this stage, although one of the recommendations within the report confirmed that councillors will be notified at the earliest possible stage once the standstill period has passed.

The public and press were excluded for the initial part of the discussion of this item to enable any questions and comments to be addressed on the confidential aspects of the report.

At the meeting, the Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment & Waste pointed out some typographical errors within the report. These were as follows:

- The date in paragraph 3,4 of the report should be 5 April 2025 not 4 April 2025; and

- the word “delivered” in the last line of paragraph 6.2 of the report should be deleted.

The Committee discussed the report in some detail and asked a number of questions which were responded to by the Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment & Waste and the Leader of the Council.

In response to a question regarding the procedures, cost and fees for the collection of bulky waste, the Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment & Waste undertook to provide written clarification to the Members of the Scrutiny Committee.

Whilst noting the report, some concerns were expressed that only the information relating to the highest scoring bidder was provided to the Committee and the Scrutiny Committee’s inability to compare this with other bids. 

In response to a request for the details of the procurement outcome and financial details, the Leader of the Council gave his assurances that the advice of external legal advisers would be sought on this point and that, subject to the outcome of the that advice, some information may be able to be made available to members of the Scrutiny Committee.  In the event that, following legal advice, it was not possible to provide further procurement and financial information, the Leader would ask officers to enquire of the advisers what, if any information may be able to be appropriately provided in due course.

The Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment & Waste took the opportunity to thank the officer team involved with the procurement process for their hard work.

Resolved:-

That the report and recommendations to Cabinet be noted.

Note: This is an Executive function

Cabinet Member: Councillor Hyde