Issue - meetings

To approve the award of a contract for the Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Traffic Signals and Associated Equipment for the period of 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2026.

Agreed:-

(1)     that approval be given to authorise the Director of Borough Economy to award a contract for the provision of the Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Traffic Signals and Associated Equipment for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2026 at an anticipated value of £2,000,000 following the conclusion of the compliant tender process;

(2)     that in connection with 1 above, the Director, Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to enter into appropriate contracts

                  Approval was sought to authorise the Director of Borough Economy to award a contract for the provision of the supply, installation and maintenance of Traffic Signals and associated equipment for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2026.

As the Local Highway Authority, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) had a statutory duty to ensure the Highway Network is maintained in a safe and useable manner. As the Local Traffic Authority SMBC also had a statutory duty to ensure as far as reasonably practicable, with regard to policy objectives and obligations, the expeditious movement of traffic on the Authority’s road network. To meet this duty, SMBC required a suitably qualified and experienced contractor to supply, install & maintain traffic signals and associated systems and equipment across the Borough of Sandwell.

Clarification was sought by the Chair of the Budget and Corporate Scrutiny Management Board in relation to an extension to the contract when there was no basis to do so. Questions were asked on why this report had not been brought to Cabinet sooner.

The Cabinet Member for Environment responded that Director approval had been granted to extend the existing contract for 2 months from 1 November 2022 until 31 December 2022 to ensure continuity of service. Cabinet approval was being sought to authorise the award of a new contract for the period 1 January 2023 to December 2026 at a value of £2m following the conclusion of the compliant tender process.

It was also confirmed that the delay with the procurement process was partly due to resource constraints but also due to the cancellation of the Cabinet meeting in October. A workforce plan had been approved and was being implemented with the objective that resource issues would diminish.

                  Reasons for decision

The Council has a requirement to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced Contractor for the Supply, Installation & Maintenance of Traffic Signals and Associated Systems and Equipment within the Borough of Sandwell. The current extended contract expired on 31 October 2022.

Alternative options considered

There are no recommended affordable alternatives to obtain material to maintain our Highway Network.

Agreed:-

(1)     that approval be given to authorise the Director of Borough Economy to award a contract for the provision of the Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Traffic Signals and Associated Equipment for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2026 at an anticipated value of £2,000,000 following the conclusion of the compliant tender process;

(2)     that in connection with Resolution (1) above, the Director, Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be authorised to enter into appropriate contracts.