Agenda item
Call-in of Executive Decisions from the Meeting of the Executive on Monday, 14th December 2009
Decisions made by the Executive on the 14th December 2009 in respect of the report below were called-in for consideration by the Forward Plan Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 18.
Future Acquisition Strategy for Brent Transport Fleet and Authority to Tender for Provision of a Leased Maintained Vehicle Fleet
The decisions made by the Executive in respect of this item were:-
(i) that approval be given to adopt a new model of vehicle fleet acquisition through leasing with maintenance from a single supplier;
(ii) that approval be given to the outsourcing of the current vehicle maintenance arrangements;
(iii) that approval be given to procure a 4-year Vehicle Supply and Maintenance Framework Agreement split into two lots with Lot 1 consisting of the supply and maintenance of new vehicles and Lot 2 the maintenance of the Council’s current vehicle fleet;
(iv) that approval be given to the pre-tender considerations and the criteria to be used to evaluate tenders for Lots 1 and 2 of a Vehicle Supply and Maintenance Framework as set out in paragraph 4.0 of the report from the Director of Children and Families;
(v) that approval be given to the invite of tenders and their evaluation in accordance with the approved evaluation criteria referred to in paragraph (iv) above.
The reasons for the call-in are:-
· There seem to be too few partners for a framework agreement to be worthwhile
· It is unclear whether the scheme is value for money
· There is no provision for alternative fuels
The Executive report is attached. The Lead Member and Lead Officer are invited to attend the meeting to respond to Members’ questions.
Minutes:
Decisions made by the Executive on the 14th December 2009 in respect of the report below were called-in for consideration by the Forward Plan Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 18.
Future Acquisition Strategy for Brent Transport Fleet and Authority to Tender for Provision of a Leased Maintained Vehicle Fleet
The reasons for the call-in were:-
· There seem to be too few partners for a framework agreement to be worthwhile
· It is unclear whether the scheme is value for money
· There is no provision for alternative fuels
Councillor Wharton (Lead Member for Children and Families) was present to answer Members’ questions.
Councillor Powney then raised a number of issues in respect of the call-in. He began by enquiring if there had been consideration of the reduction in carbon emissions and savings achievable if alternative fuels were used. He suggested that as there were a number of short journeys made by Brent Transport Fleet vehicles, that it would be appropriate to use electric powered vehicles for such trips. He added that as two-thirds of the fleet needed to be replaced within four years, it would be prudent to begin purchasing vehicles that ran on alternative fuels from this point. In acknowledging that the Council had signed up to the 10/10 Campaign, he queried whether the aim of a 10% cut in carbon emissions could be achieved in 2010, suggesting that a 3% cut was the very most that could be expected from this year and 6% by 2011/12. Councillor Powney also suggested there be consideration of installation of electrical charging points in the Civic Centre and that such a measure should be eligible for green tariff discounts. He felt that the strategy agreed contradicted the Council’s parking and Civic Centre policy. Councillor Powney also queried whether during the replacement of the fleet, the same number of vehicles would be needed and he sought clarification as to whether only one partner had expressed an interest in being involved in a framework agreement.
Councillor Mistry felt that there were not presently enough electrically powered vehicles on the market for the Council to seriously consider acquiring such vehicles at this stage. Councillor H B Patel added that it was not appropriate to acquire electrically powered mini buses as they did not provide the necessary disabled access, however he felt that obtaining electrically powered vehicles for other uses could be considered. The Chair commented that the use of electric vehicles was not being out ruled and that if future technology developments meant suitable vehicles became available then these would be seriously considered.
In reply, Councillor Wharton advised that there were no vehicles that used alternatives fuels currently on the market that were appropriate for the uses of the Brent Transport Fleet. Furthermore, a number of vehicles needed to be replaced in the next ten months and replacement vehicles would be leased on a four to five year basis. As a result, the Council needed to consider purchasing mass produced vehicles that were presently on the market which were predominantly those using fossil fuels. Councillor Wharton advised that electrical vehicles by design required high floors as batteries tended to be located beneath and such a format was not suitable for mini buses, particularly in terms of providing disabled access. Members noted that the present mini bus fleet had low floors. Councillor Wharton noted Councillor Powney’s comments with regard to using electrically powered vehicles which could be considered in future and he suggested that other alternative fuels, such as vegetable oils, could also be investigated. Councillor Wharton stressed that any electrical buses with appropriate practical qualities would be considered if they became available in the future. Members noted that maintaining the same number of vehicles in the future was neither necessary nor specified in any agreement. The Select Committee heard that the London Borough of Hillingdon had indicated their interest in a future framework agreement and it was possible that other local authorities would do in the future. In the long term, such a collaborative arrangement was desirable and a four year vehicle supply and maintenance framework agreement allowed for such a future possibility. Councillor Wharton advised that the Brent Transport Service had already achieved significant carbon emissions reductions through changes to the taxi service involving a 40% reduction in overall mileage achieved through use of taxi companies being used to provide escorts.
Members then decided not to agree Councillor Powney’s suggestion that no contract be awarded to supply vehicles until consideration of electrically powered vehicles had been undertaken. At the request of Councillor Powney and in accordance with Standing Order 65 (d) and 65 (e), voting on this suggestion was as follows:
FOR: Councillor Powney (1)
AGAINST: Councillors V Brown, Castle, Mistry and H B Patel (4)
RESOLVED:-
that upon considering the report from the Director of Children and Families, the decisions made by the Executive be noted.
Supporting documents:
- C&F Future Acq Strat for Brent Transport fleet, item 4. PDF 181 KB
- C&F Future Acq Strat for Brent Transport fleet App A, item 4. PDF 21 KB
- C&F Future Acq Strat for Brent Transport fleet App B, item 4. PDF 8 KB
- C&F Future Acq Strat for Brent Transport fleet App C, item 4. PDF 98 KB
- C&F Future Acq Strat for Brent Transport fleet App D, item 4. PDF 28 KB