Agenda item

This report sets out proposals to deploy a suitably experienced and qualified contractor to provide uniformed enforcement officers and the necessary infrastructure for the delivery of dedicated enforcement of street scene and environmental offences such as litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping, spitting, fly posting and graffiti at problem areas across Brent.

(i)         that a pilot contract for the delivery of a uniformed service for the enforcement of street scene and environmental offences in the borough be exempt from the requirements of the Council’s Contract Standing Orders in respect of conducting a tender process.

(ii)        that the proposal to enter into a pilot contract with Kingdom Security Limited for the delivery of a payment-by results, cost-neutral uniformed service for the enforcement of street scene and environmental offences in the borough for a period of 12 months be approved;

(iii)       that the proposal to suspend the offer of a reduced payment for early settlement of litter-related Fixed Penalty Notices for the period of the pilot be noted and endorsed.

Councillor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Environment, introduced the report setting out proposals to deploy a suitably experienced and qualified contractor to provide uniformed enforcement officers and the necessary infrastructure for the delivery of dedicated enforcement of street scene and environmental offences such as litter, dog fouling, fly-tipping, spitting, fly posting and graffiti at problem areas across Brent.

She stated that this would require the contractor to provide a team of experienced and competent enforcement officers, a team leader and adequate administrative support to create a high profile, self-funding enforcement initiative tackling street scene issues across Brent. The primary focus of the initiative in the first instance was to make Brent cleaner and change behaviour towards environmental offences.

Councillor Southwood outlined the proposed one-year pilot contract to be entered into with Kingdom Security Ltd, to be evaluated throughout, and with a full procurement taking place during the course of that year, should the pilot prove to be successful.

Councillor Mashari, Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills, welcomed the report stating that residents would welcome such an initiative.

In response to a question from Councillor Duffy, Kilburn Ward, Councillor Southwood stated that the uniform design will be subject to consultation with the Cabinet and signed off by the Strategic Director.

In response to a question about the London Living Wage, Councillor Southwood stated that Kingdom would pay their officers £9.61 per hour. This will be for a 5 day week over 7 days. The Team Leader would receive £12.00 per hour.

Councillor Southwood stated that a full procurement process will only be undertaken if the model works. She explained that expanding the council’s operation by recruiting officers, training and improving the administrative infrastructure would not only be more costly but would take longer. She reminded Members that Kingdom also offers a tested back office system which provides management, administrative support and access to an area support system for identification checks.

In response to a question from Councillor Duffy, Kilburn Ward, Conrad Hall, Chief Finance Officer, stated that the purpose of the pilot was to inform any potential future business model.

In response to a question from Councillor Kelcher, Chair of Scrutiny, it was clarified that Kingdom Security Limited currently provided services in Harrow, Ealing, Havant, Barnsley, Knowsley, Denbighshire, Birmingham City, Maidstone and Croydon. Councillor Southwood stated that officers had entered into discussions with Ealing and Harrow Councils about their partnerships with Kingdom Security Limited.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that a pilot contract for the delivery of a uniformed service for the enforcement of street scene and environmental offences in the borough be exempt from the requirements of the Council’s Contract Standing Orders in respect of conducting a tender process;

(ii)        that the proposal to enter into a pilot contract with Kingdom Security Limited for the delivery of a payment-by results, cost-neutral uniformed service for the enforcement of street scene and environmental offences in the borough for a period of 12 months be approved;

(iii)       that the proposal to suspend the offer of a reduced payment for early settlement of litter-related Fixed Penalty Notices for the period of the pilot be noted and endorsed.