The Cabinet has decided to approve the recommissioning of the Community Transport contract, delegating authority to the Director of Transport and Highways.

URL: https://cmttpublic.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1990

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The purpose of the report is to seek approval from Cabinet to commence the recommission of the Community Transport contract.  The current contract expires on31 March 2026 and there is no further scope to extend as this is not a compliant contract.    In addition,Cabinet approval will be sought to delegate authority to the Director of Transport and Highways to award this contractdue to the aggressive procurement timeline.

Content: The purpose of the report is to seek approval from Cabinet to commence the recommission of the Community Transport contract.  The current contract expires on31 March 2026 and there is no further scope to extend as this is not a compliant contract.    In addition,Cabinet approval will be sought to delegate authority to the Director of Transport and Highways to award this contractdue to the aggressive procurement timeline. Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Transport and Highways concerning the contract for the current operation of Community Transport and ‘Dial a Ride’ services.  Members noted that these were currently operated by two providers – Ealing Community Transport (in the Chester and Ellesmere Port area of the borough) and Changing Lives Together (in the Northwich and Winsford area) and the contract now required retendering and renewal.  The report provided background on the current operation of the services and options for their renewal and continuation.   Members were informed that the current Community Transport contract required re-design to better respond to changing user needs. Members also noted that Community Transport was not a statutory service of the Council but was recognised as important to residents.  The Council had intended to commission a new service from April 2022, however this was delayed due to the Covid 19 pandemic as well as awaiting the outcome of the adult social care day care services review and a wider review of transport.   Councillor Karen Shore, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways (including Waste), led the discussion on the item as proposer and the item was seconded by Councillor Sheila Little, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care.   Visiting Members:  Councillor Charles Hardy spoke on behalf of Councillor Simon Eardley in relation to the item.   Cabinet members welcomed the report and the proposals presented for recommissioning the contract.  They looked forward to a more flexible service with more capacity to respond to residents’ needs.   DECIDED:    That   1)            the recommissioning of the Community Transport Service be approved; and 2)            the Director of Transport and Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, be delegated authority to commence the procurement, agree the terms of the contract and undertake the award of the contract.   Reason for Decision   1)            The options appraisal process undertaken by the Council for the recommissioning of Community Transport and ‘Dial a Ride’ explored a range of delivery options, from ‘as is’ to ‘ceasing the service’ in its entirety. It also explored commercial options for delivery and understood extensive financial scrutiny of alternative procurement options. The outcome of this process created the preferred option, which is to set a fixed annual budget of £590,000, borough wide and to ask the local operators to respond with proposals on delivery which meet that budget, and which meet the Council’s strategic aims for Community Transport. 2)            Only the Dial-a-Ride element of the Community Transport service will be recommissioned in this way. The ‘wrap around’ contracts for Education and Adult Social Care which currently sit within the existing Community Transport contract will be separated from the ‘core’ Community Transport contract and will be tendered separately to achieve value for money as they are a statutory requirement. Going forwards, the ‘core’ Community Transport contract will only cover the commissioning of Dial a Ride services.   Alternative Options   1)            The operation of this service is not a statutory requirement. Therefore, there is an option to remove this service in its entirety. However, that could contribute to social isolation and reduced opportunities to access health care services for residents and so this option is not recommended. 2)            The Council has also considered whether other operating models could be used to provide transport for Community Transport service users. However, the needs of Dial a Ride service users (as defined by geographic isolation and inability to use existing forms of public transport) means that Community Transport remains, at present, the most appropriate method of meeting their needs.

Date of Decision: July 9, 2025