Decision
Analysis
outcome: The Direct Award of a contract to ECON for the hire of 11 x 18t gritters with ploughs and 1 x 3.5t mini gritter for a term of 26 weeks with an estimated contract value of £290,838.00 has been approved.
summary: The decision involves the hire of gritter vehicles for the Council's highway winter service operations for the Winter Maintenance Season 2025/2026.
topline: The Director of Neighbourhood Services has decided to approve the hire of gritter vehicles for the Council's highway winter service operations for the Winter Maintenance Season 2025/2026.
reason_contentious: This issue is not particularly contentious as it is related to the practicality and cost-effectiveness of hiring gritter vehicles for winter maintenance operations.
affected_stakeholders: ["Council", "ECON", "Transport Maintenance Service"]
contentiousness_score: 2
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6043
Decision Maker: Director of Neighbourhood Services
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: No
Purpose:
Content: The Director of Neighbourhood Services has approved the Direct Award of a contract to ECON following a procurement process through the ESPO Framework for a term of 26 weeks from 20.10.2025 for an estimated contract value of £290,838.00 for the hire of 11 x 18t gritters with ploughs and 1 x 3.5t mini gritter for Winter Maintenance Season 2025/2026. All servicing and 24/7 breakdown assistance plus replacement of gritter, if required, included in award. The Highway Winter Service requires the hire of gritter vehicles from ECON in order to carry out the Council’s highway winter service operations during the winter period 2025/26 for the treatment of carriageways, footways and other areas where required in order that the council can meet its statutory duty. The decision to hire is because purchase of gritters would involve initial greater expense and commitment. The required number of gritters may change to support service, and the vehicles would be unused for approx. 6 months of the year. Purchasing vehicles would also place huge pressure on transport maintenance to ensure compliance with safety inspections every 6 weeks and laden brake testing at least 4 times a year. This would mean the service would need to employ an additional technician to support the service. Vehicles could be leased but leasing tends to be for a minimum of 12 months. In the circumstances, it was concluded that there is more availability and flexibility to meet the requirements of the service through hire frameworks. Other suppliers were available through the ESPO framework, however, Econ were the cheapest option. The decision has been taken under Part 3 Section C - Overview and Scheme of Delegations of Authority to Officers as the decision is not reserved to a Committee or Sub-Committee and the Director is satisfied that paragraphs 2(a) to 2(c) apply. Background Papers Highways Act 1980 Social Value Policy Tender Submissions Contract Procedure Rules
Date of Decision: July 4, 2025