URL: https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6192

Decision Maker: Director of Neighbourhood Services

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: Transformative initiative to modernise our gully cleansing programme and create a comprehensive and sustainable cleansing regime. Two-year contract to survey, validate, and asses the entire gully asset register. Gully's with a condition above an agreed threshold will be cleansed in year one (~40%). Re-baseline of gully's in year two to establish multiple data points for individual gully's from which a risk based cyclical cleansing programme can be developed. This will align with the purchase of two new gully vehicles which have a 12-18 month lead in time.

Content: Transformative initiative to modernise our gully cleansing programme and create a comprehensive and sustainable cleansing regime. Two-year contract to survey, validate, and asses the entire gully asset register. Gully's with a condition above an agreed threshold will be cleansed in year one (~40%). Re-baseline of gully's in year two to establish multiple data points for individual gully's from which a risk based cyclical cleansing programme can be developed. This will align with the purchase of two new gully vehicles which have a 12-18 month lead in time. DECISION   The Director for Neighbourhood Services has approved the procurement of an external drainage cleansing and validation contractor secured on a 2-year contract at a value of approximately £600,000.   REASONS FOR THE DECISION   The Council’s current approach to gully cleansing is operationally constrained and reactive. With one cleansing crew and a gully tanker beyond serviceable life (necessitating costly hire vehicles), there is insufficient capacity to undertake or complete planned cyclical programmes. This has created inconsistency across the network, leading to duplication, inefficient use of resources and increasing localised customer requests (complaints). Establishing a borough-wide baseline through an external support will create parity across the asset register and enable evidence led decisions around how we better deploy limited resources. This includes cleansing frequencies, prioritisation and long-term resourcing. An external provider can bring immediate capacity, the technical skills to collect robust and consistent data points and allows the Council to build a risk-based model.  

Date of Decision: January 30, 2026