Issue - meetings

This report sets out the arrangements for the day to day operation of the Council’s Dial and Ride service, which is currently delivered by the charity York Wheels.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for City Strategy authorises Officers to tender the day-to-day operation of Dial & Ride externally, including vehicle maintenance (as set out as Option 2 in this report) and requests Officers to ensure, as far as possible, that the voluntary sector are enabled to submit tenders on an equal footing with the commercial sector.

REASON:                  To ensure that the Council continues to operate a high quality Dial & Ride service whilst ensuring that it is getting the best value for money across all aspects of the operation and to ensure that the service operates efficiently.

Consideration was given to a report, which set out the arrangements for the day-to-day operation of the Council’s Dial and Ride service, which was currently delivered by the charity York Wheels. The Dial and Ride was a Council service for York residents who could not use other local bus services either because they could not get to a bus stop or who needed extra assistance at either end of their journey.

The Executive Member confirmed that, at this stage, only tenders were being invited for running the service and that there would be another opportunity to discuss options when interest in the contract was known. He stated that in view of representations received he was to amend the proposals to ensure that the voluntary sector were given equal opportunity to put forward their proposals should they so wish.

He then considered the following options:

Option 1 - Instruct officers to renegotiate a service level agreement with York Wheels for the day-to-day operation of Dial & Ride.  This option will include setting and reviewing strategic targets on an annual basis to ensure the continuing improvement of assisted travel services for York residents.

Option 2 - Instruct officers to tender the day-to-day operation of Dial & Ride externally, including vehicle maintenance.

Option 3 - Instruct officers to bring all aspects of the operation of Dial & Ride in-house.

RESOLVED:             That the Executive Member for City Strategy authorises Officers to tender the day-to-day operation of Dial & Ride externally, including vehicle maintenance (as set out as Option 2 in this report) and requests Officers to ensure, as far as possible, that the voluntary sector are enabled to submit tenders on an equal footing with the commercial sector. ^1.

REASON:                  To ensure that the Council continues to operate a high quality Dial & Ride service whilst ensuring that it is getting the best value for money across all aspects of the operation and to ensure that the service operates efficiently.