Issue - meetings

Report of the Scrutiny Manager regarding the Highways Contract Procurement.

Councillor Keogh – Cabinet Member for Environment & Transport, Mel Creighton – Executive Director for Enabling Services, and Paul Paskins - Director of Contracting and Procurement were in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

Councillor Keogh outlined the approach to the renewal of the Highways Contract and Paul Paskins provided operational detail in relation to the exploration of various approaches and the overall benefits of the selected option.

The Committee noted the update and raised a number of questions in relation to the decision, how it was reached, ongoing and planned monitoring of performance, contract scope and contract value.

Paul Paskins set out that the approach taken was through an existing framework agreement, performance is currently and will continue to be monitored through a combination of amended Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) and other measurements and assessments. There will continue to be quarterly performance meetings with the provider. It was also confirmed that all categorisations of repair works are included within the scope of the agreement and that any identified high priority works will continue to be addressed urgently. 

The importance of capital investment to improve the condition of the highways in Southampton was noted. The Committee also outlined expectations with regards to having the opportunity to scrutinise the procurement of key Council contracts moving forward.