URL: https://democracy.lbhf.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4984

Decision Maker: Deputy Leader (responsible for Children and Education)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Award to the taxi framework for the provision of travel care and support services in H&F.

Content: The Deputy Leader approves:    Appendices 1 and 2 are not for publication on the basis that they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) as set out in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).     The appointment of the preferred bidders to Lot 1 - Regular and Scheduled Taxi Provision of the Travel Care Taxi Framework for the duration of the four-year Framework.     The appointment of the preferred bidders to Lot 2 - Ad-hoc Taxi Provision of the Travel Care Taxi Framework for the duration of the four-year Framework.    The following selection and approval methods for the award of call-off contracts for both Lot 1 - Regular and Scheduled Taxi Provision and Lot 2 - Ad-hoc Taxi Provision:     a.    That the ranking of taxi suppliers (as detailed in the exempt Appendix 1 of this report) be used to directly award all call-off taxi contracts for both Lot 1 - Regular and Scheduled Taxi Provision and Lot 2 - Ad-hoc Taxi Provision according to their ranked positions, unless a mini-competition is required as outlined in the recommendation b below.     b.    That for out-of-Borough, longer distance, and TUPE-related contracts, and when in the Council’s interests to do so, suppliers on the relevant Lot of the Framework will be invited to participate in a mini-competition instead of as outlined in recommendation a. above.     c.     That the decision to award and enter into a call-off contract, valued at £100,000 and under, be delegated to the Head of Travel Care.    d.    Should any taxi contract be valued at £100,000 or more, that this contract will be awarded by the Head of Travel Care in consultation with the Director of Commissioning, Transformation and Partnerships.     The commencement of the 4-year Framework beginning on or around 1 August 2025.       1.     The Local Authority has a statutory duty to provide home to school transport provisions as per the Education Act 1996. The Council has a Travel Assistance Policy which clearly sets out these duties, together with further information via the Local Offer.     2.     For Adults, the Care Act 2014 stipulates a duty to Local Authorities to meet assessed needs, and while transport is not prescribed provision, it may be one way of meeting people’s assessed needs and preferences relating to their personal outcomes towards independence and engagement with the community. Spend within Adult Social Care is of low value and ad hoc in nature.      3.     The framework which services the existing taxi contracts expires in August 2025 with no option to extend.    Option 1 – Appoint recommended providers to the Travel Care Taxi Framework (recommended)    1.     A rigorous evaluation process took place to ensure that only those suitable to provide a quality service would be appointed on to the framework. The evaluation panel included several Officers and a parent representative from Parents Active who were able to bring their expertise to evaluate relevant questions.     2.     Following appointment onto the Framework, individual contracts will be awarded to the highest scoring taxi supplier (based on combined quality and cost) within each Lot and vehicle category. Where the highest scoring supplier is unable to meet this demand (subject to their capacity and availability) the contract will be awarded to the second highest scoring supplier and so on. This process is referred to as a ‘call-off’.     3.     Ad-hoc taxi journeys will be called-off as and when they are required according to the Lot 2 league table rankings which can be found in the exempt section of this report.    Option 2 – Do not appoint recommended providers to the Travel Care Taxi Framework (not recommended)     4.     This option is not recommended. The Local Authority would not be able to meet its statutory duties and there is no viable alternative. Carrying out a fresh procurement exercise would mean that there is no contract vehicle in place for the Council to use to place its requirements for these services, given that the current framework has expired.   

Date of Decision: June 27, 2025