URL: https://democracy.dacorum.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2538

Decision Maker: Strategic Director - Neighbourhood Operations

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: Reason: There are a multitude of upcoming projects within Neighbourhood Operations which require the use of specialist infrastructure contractors including, but not limited to, the following elements: Surfacing works (including verge hardening); Drainage works; Line marking; Traffic/Parking signage works; Design and build contracts e.g. car park and access track upgrades. This will benefit several departments to assess this contract, such as Parking, Parks and Open Spaces, and SANG Delivery. Background: On 1 October 2025 HCC began a 7-year highways maintenance contract (with potential extension to 21 years) with Ringway worth over £55m per annum. This contract is for architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services and contains the schedule (17) for District Authorities to join this contract whereby they can issue task orders directly to the contractor for their services. The ability to be able to direct award contracts to Ringway would improve beneficial for multiple services within neighbourhood Operations, in the immediate future this would benefit: 1.SANG In 2022 Bunkers Park was designated as a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and as a part of the SANG management plan several enhancements have been agreed and signed off DBC and Natural England which are intended to make the park more accessible to visitors, including the upgrade of the access track and car park, alongside drainage works, which equate to £187,500. 2. PARKS AND OPEN SPACES In July 2025 Cabinet agreed to support endorse phase 1 works on Coronation Fields, which includes resurfacing old tennis courts to create a car park. S106 funding and capital budget funding are intended to fund the phase 1 works, with an estimated £120,000 required for car park construction works. 3. PARKING SERVICES The Parking Services team is required to undertake maintenance, and management works of DBC on-street and off-street parking. This includes: replacing existing on-street parking signs and posts in accordance with TSRGD regulations for signs that have become faded or damaged; refreshing on-street parking related road markings in the borough that are supported with a TRO; refreshing bay markings and other surface markings in the councils 26 (off-street) car parks; and providing new parking signs and road markings at request when we introduce new TROs. Utilising the schedule 17 of the HCC – Ringway contract would enable this work to be tasked directly to Ringway. 4. PARKING SOLUTIONS The Council adopted the Parking Solutions Policy in October 2024 and are now at the point of starting delivery of schemes of work which involve strengthening or paving areas of highway verges or other green space. These schemes will be delivered through a design and build model, thus having access to this contract will speed up the process by enabling direct award for works. Overall, the above service areas will benefit from the ability to utilise the contract between HCC and Ringway for their services. It will enable a more efficient route to market than a typical open tender or similar means, thus improving deliverability of project milestones, reducing officer input time to procurement and delivering greater value for money through economies of scale. As well as benefitting projects outlined above, this route to direct award route to market has the potential to benefit emerging projects in the future.

Content:

Date of Decision: December 15, 2025