Issue - meetings

Recommendation CE 23/31 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 July 2023

The report and supporting papers considered by the Scrutiny Select Committee are restricted and are attached for information under Part 2 of the agenda.

Consideration was given to recommendation CE 23/31 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 July 2023.

Cabinet considered the future delivery options, analysis report and cost information presented to the Scrutiny Select Committee together with potential areas of saving and environmental and bio-diversity measures.  Due regard was also given to the legal, financial and value for money implications.  A review report provided by an external consultant (Waste Consulting LLP (WCL)) was noted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             an external procurement exercise be progressed for the future delivery of grounds maintenance services;

(2)             the work previously undertaken by the external consultants (WCL), including preparation of a Public Sector Comparator,  be updated;

(3)             the proposed list of potential areas of savings in respect of the service specification of the contract, as outlined in 1.5.3 of the restricted report to the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee be noted;

(4)             further consideration be given to additional potential areas of saving;

(5)             further consideration be given to the current and future options within the contract with regard to the Climate Change agenda.

(Decision Notice D230074CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation CE 23/31 of the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 July 2023.

Cabinet considered the future delivery options, analysis report and cost information presented to the Scrutiny Select Committee together with potential areas of saving and environmental and bio-diversity measures.  Due regard was also given to the legal, financial and value for money implications.  A review report provided by an external consultant (Waste Consulting LLP (WCL)) was noted.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)             an external procurement exercise be progressed for the future delivery of grounds maintenance services;

(2)             the work previously undertaken by the external consultants (WCL), including preparation of a Public Sector Comparator,  be updated;

(3)             the proposed list of potential areas of savings in respect of the service specification of the contract, as outlined in 1.5.3 of the restricted report to the Communities and Environment Scrutiny Select Committee be noted;

(4)             further consideration be given to additional potential areas of saving;

(5)             further consideration be given to the current and future options within the contract with regard to the Climate Change agenda.

(Part 2 Reasons: LGA 1972 - Sch 12A Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

This report advises on the forthcoming expiry of the Borough Council’s current Grounds Maintenance Contract and seeks Members’ comments on the strategic approach to the future delivery of services and guidance on a review of the contract specification.

(Reasons: LGA 1972 - Sch 12A Paragraph 3 - Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information))

Careful consideration was given to the future delivery options of the grounds maintenance services, taking into account a review report provided by Waste Consulting LLP (WCL), attached at Annex 1, and a further options analysis report prepared by services, attached at Annex 2.

Service Specification of the current contract, as summarised in Annex 3, provided additional cost information to enable Members to review and identify potential areas of saving, in addition to the areas which had been identified and proposed by services as outlined in 1.5.3 of the report. 

With regard to the environmental additions/improvements, a number of possible considerations were highlighted in the consultancy report, including the reduction in cutting frequency, replacing annual planting (bedding) with more sustainable options, reviewing the use of chemicals and additional tree planting.  However, Members were reminded that consideration would need to be given to what was operationally achievable and financially deliverable.

There was an in-depth discussion on the additional potential areas of saving and the environmental considerations, with reference being made to preserving natural environment and seeking support from local businesses.  Members were invited to put forward further suggestions to services for inclusion in the consideration of formal alterations to the service specification, which were anticipated to be brought to Members for approval at a future meeting of the Scrutiny Select Committee.

Members had due regard to the legal implications, financial and value for money considerations, risk assessment, equality impact assessment and policy considerations.

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)        with regard to the option for future delivery of grounds maintenance services, an external procurement exercise be progressed, and the work previously undertaken by the external consultants, WCL, be updated, including the preparation of a Public Sector Comparator;

(2)        the proposed list of potential areas of saving in respect of the service specification of the contract, as outlined in 1.5.3 of the report, be noted, and further consideration be given to additional potential areas of saving; and

(3)        further consideration be given to the current and future options within the contract with regard to the Climate Change agenda.

*Referred to Cabinet