To secure agreement from the Executive to award the new Term Highways Services Contract.

1.      That the new Term Highways Services Contract (Lot 1) be awarded for a period of seven years with a potential maximum extension of a further seven years to Contractor A who had submitted the most economically advantageous bid (the best combination of quality and price.

2.      That Lot 2 (Grass Cutting) and Lot 3 (Vehicle Maintenance) be not  awarded and that these services be secured through a separate procurement exercise.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that set out the outcome of the procurement exercise that had been undertaken to secure a Term Highways Services Contract that reflected the current priorities of Central Bedfordshire Council, with flexibility incorporated for a changing environment.  The current Highways Contract was due to end on 31 March 2016.

Contractors had been invited to bid for 3 lots:-

·         Lot 1:  Main Term Maintenance Contract

·         Lot 2:  Grass Cutting

·         Lot 3:  Vehicle Maintenance.

The preferred contractor for Lot 1 (the main Highways Services contract) was not the preferred bidder for Lot 2 and Lot 3.  It was proposed that only Lot 1 should be awarded and the grass cutting and vehicle maintenance contracts should be procured through a separate exercise.

At this point during the discussion it was felt appropriate to exclude the Press and Public.  See minutes E/15/33 and E/15/34 for further details.