Issue - meetings

The Cabinet is requested to consider the agenda report and its confidential exempt* appendix provided to members and relevant officers only and to make the following resolution:

RESOLUTION BY THE CABINET

(1)  That the contract for the maintenance and enhancement of coast protection assets for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022 is awarded to Contractor A.

(2)  That authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment Services, to extend the contract by mutual agreement for a further two years should the contractor performance meet Chichester District Council requirements.

*[Note As stated in respect of this appendix in agenda item 15 below (Exclusion of the Press and Public), the ground for excluding the public and press during this item if the appendix were to be discussed is that it would be likely that there would be a disclosure to them of ‘exempt information’ of the description specified in Paragraph 3 (information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972]

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET

a)    That the contract for the maintenance and enhancement of coast protection assets for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022 be awarded to Contractor A.

b)    That authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment Services to extend the contract by mutual agreement for a further two years should the contractor performance meet Chichester District Council requirements.

Mr Connor (Cabinet Member for Environment Services) introduced the item. Mr Henly (Senior Engineer) was also present.

Mr Connor explained that under the Coast Protection Act 1949 the council is the Coast Protection Authority for Pagham Harbour to East Head. As such the council has powers relating to coastal erosion and flooding. An approach of early and timely maintenance intervention prevents long term costs and helps to achieve a level of community wellbeing across the coastline. The council has used a maintenance contract for the last 10 years and this continues to be the favoured approach as it reduces response time by removing the need to go out to tender each time works are required and includes an emergency call out function. The new contract will replace the existing contract which expires on 31 March 2019. Mr Connor confirmed that an approved framework of contractors was used and two tenders were completed and assessed.

With regard to the difference in price between the two tender bids Mr Henly clarified that the quality of the cheaper quote had scored higher and the contractor had previously carried out a high standard of work for the council.

Decision

The Cabinet voted unanimously to make the resolutions below.

RESOLVED BY THE CABINET

a)    That the contract for the maintenance and enhancement of coast protection assets for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2022 be awarded to Contractor A.

b)    That authority be delegated to the Director of Planning and Environment following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment Services to extend the contract by mutual agreement for a further two years should the contractor performance meet Chichester District Council requirements.