Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Place.

(a)   That the recommendations of Business Justification Case to secure a strategic partner for Dorset Council’s Highways Services, be approved; to assist in delivering the service’s capital works programme, contributing to the Council’s corporate aim of growing Dorset economy, as well as the Place Plan aimed to protect the natural environment, climate and ecology.

(b)   That the approval of the terms and conditions of the Highways Term Service (HTSC) Contract, and the decision to award the HTSC be delegated to the Executive Director for Place Services following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place.

(c)    That the decision to award contracts and works orders made under the HTSC up to the value of £500k, and the approval of associated terms and conditions be delegated to the Executive Director for Place following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services.

(d)   That any decision to award a contract or works order under the HTSC over the value of £500k be made by the Executive Director for Place Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place and the Executive Director for Corporate Development (S151 Officer).

Reason for the decision

To ensure continued provision of efficient, effective and value for money highway services enabling the Council to continue to fulfil its statutory obligations in acting as the local highway authority for Dorset.  

The Cabinet Member for Place presented a report seeking Cabinet’s approval to commence the procurement of a new Dorset Council Highways Service Contract (HTSC) to be implemented from April 2027.

In response to questions the Corporate Director for Highways and Engineering advised that the in-house resource provides for the council’s winter maintenance function, requiring at a minimum 75 employees.

Dorset Council did not consist of the in-house resources to gear up to larger projects and therefore some form of a top-up provider was essential to deliver the service across the council’s area. The Operations Board and the Strategic Partnership Board within the service would discuss the merits of which provider, internal or external that would-be best placed to carry out the works.

In response to a further question, the Corporate Director for Highways and Engineering confirmed that under a procurement process there is an element necessary to demonstrate social value within a contract and this scoring would be part of the balance of cost versus quality when deciding on a contract.

It was proposed by Cllr J Andrews and seconded by Cllr S Clifford

Decision

(a)   That the recommendations of Business Justification Case to secure a strategic partner for Dorset Council’s Highways Services, be approved; to assist in delivering the service’s capital works programme, contributing to the Council’s corporate aim of growing Dorset economy, as well as the Place Plan aimed to protect the natural environment, climate and ecology.

(b)   That the approval of the terms and conditions of the Highways Term Service (HTSC) Contract, and the decision to award the HTSC be delegated to the Executive Director for Place Services following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place.

(c)    That the decision to award contracts and works orders made under the HTSC up to the value of £500k, and the approval of associated terms and conditions be delegated to the Executive Director for Place following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place Services.

(d)   That any decision to award a contract or works order under the HTSC over the value of £500k be made by the Executive Director for Place Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place and the Executive Director for Corporate Development (S151 Officer).

Reason for the decision

To ensure continued provision of efficient, effective and value for money highway services enabling the Council to continue to fulfil its statutory obligations in acting as the local highway authority for Dorset.