Issue details

Reason for Decision

A major fire on Sunday 15 November 2020 at a Dorset Council waste depot resulted in 21 Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs) being destroyed. This has created an urgent need to source and procure pre-used RCVs as replacements to swiftly remove the dependency of hiring replacements, in order to maintain vital waste services, as this is not economically viable for the Council. This does not give Dorset Council sufficient time to comply with standard open procedure timescales for this procurement. The Council considers this to be a state of urgency which it has duly substantiated. Accordingly, the Council is using the accelerated time limits permitted under the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (regulation 27.5 for the open procedure) in respect of this procurement.

This delegated decision is being taken in accordance with Scheme of Delegation item 32 (Chief Officer decisions in cases of urgency). There is an urgent and pressing financial need to take the decision and commence procurement which cannot wait until the next available meeting of Cabinet.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Long and short term vehicle hire; and

Procurement of new vehicles.