Decision details

9.1

The Executive Director, Place, submitted a report referring to the current Cleared Sites Contract used to manage and maintain cleared Council-owned sites (predominantly housing demolition sites) prior to their eventual disposal and/or development. He stated that the contract expired in April 2013, but would be extended by three months to allow for completion of the procurement process. Therefore, in order to keep these sites tidy, safe and well-maintained, the Council would need to re-procure the contract and secure a new contractor to deliver these services over the coming years.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves the procurement of a contractor, by way of competitive tender, to deliver the services that form the Cleared Sites Contract 2013/16; and

(b)

grants delegated powers to the Director of Commercial Services, or his nominated representative, to accept tenders and award a Contract for this Project, in consultation with the Director of Housing, Enterprise and Regeneration.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The current Cleared Sites contract expires in April 2013 and is then going to be extended by 3 months. The re-procurement and award of a new contract to cover the period July 2013 to April 2016 will allow for the continued management of the sites in the programme, keeping them tidy, well-maintained and safe, as well as increasing the attractiveness of the sites to potential developers as and when they are advertised for sale and development.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

One alternative option to re-procuring the Cleared Sites contract would be to let the current contract expire and not renew it. Whilst there would be obvious and immediate cost savings associated with this approach, the option was disregarded due to the substantial potential problems – both reputational and financial – that could arise if the cleared sites were not being maintained adequately. Many sites would become overgrown and unmanageable very quickly, and past experience suggests that poorly maintained sites attract increased instances of fly tipping and other anti-social behaviour, as well as reducing the potential saleability and developability of the land. Sites could very easily become trouble spots and excessive plant and weed growth could hide numerous dangers (hazardous tipped materials, drug paraphernalia, broken glass, etc.), jeopardising the safety of local residents.

9.4.2

Another alternative to procuring an external contractor would be to use an in-house team from Parks & Countryside to carry out the works. Commercial Services approached the Director of Culture and Environment, who declined the opportunity.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Simon Green, Executive Director, Place.

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Safer and Stronger Communities.