Council and democracy

Decision details

Procurement of Environment Vehicles (Decision 01104413)

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the procurement of sub 5 tonne vehicles. The council currently has around 40-60 vehicles that are due for replacement due to their age over the financial year 2017/18.

Decisions:

Councillor Tolson addressed Members informing them the current waste freighters were now at the end of their life expectancy and becoming unreliable, resulting in the need for the Council to lease seven new vehicles in 2016, as collection rates were suffering. Since the younger vehicles had come into operation collection rates had risen to 99%.

 

She continued to explain that route optimisation testing was due to conclude, this would enable the Council to purchase the right amount of vehicles required. 

 

Members were notified other environment vehicles were also at end of life and needed to be replaced. It was discussed that the Council had purchased three tractors including cutting equipment, and the following equipment would also require replacing:

 

·         8 ride on mowers

·         Hand tools

·         Hedge cutters

·         Gritting vehicles

 

Councillor S.Little queried whether it would be better to lease or purchase new vehicles.

 

Councillor Tolson commented that when collection rates were falling, the Council needed new vehicles and we now leased 7 vehicles to complete weekly collections. She also commented on preferential borrowing rates for capital purchases.

 

Councillor Hebb mentioned that the Administration had invested £1million into Clean it, Cut it, Fill it to keep Thurrock clean. He further stated that if a resident had a bad experience they were likely to tell 10 people compared to a good experience.

 

The Leader remarked the report was to go out for tender, so the conclusion to either purchasing or leasing vehicles would be made. He continued by stating weekly bin collections would remain, with new vehicles having integrated cameras, Officers would be able to treat pot holes and identify other defects sooner.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.    That Cabinet endorses the approach laid out in this report for procuring the Gritting vehicles, Refuse collection vehicles and general plant sub 5 tonnes.

 

2.    That Cabinet approves commencement of the tendering process for Gritting vehicles, Refuse collection vehicles and general plant sub 5 tonnes in accordance with EU procurement procedures.

 

3.    That Cabinet approves delegation to the Corporate Director of Environment and Place to enter into and award the necessary contracts following the procurement process, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment.

 

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

Report author: Steve Cox (Corporate Director Place)

Publication date: 13/03/2017

Date of decision: 08/03/2017

Decided at meeting: 08/03/2017 - Cabinet

Effective from: 21/03/2017

Accompanying Documents: