Purpose

Replacement and procurement of fleet vehicles in the 2024/25 financial year.

Decision

RESOLVED that Cabinet:-

1. Authorise the procurement of up to 53 new vehicles, including plant equipment in 2024/25, to be used by council departments and partner organisations, with a value of up to £4,053,000, through purchase followed by a sale and lease back arrangement or whichever method of funding is deemed appropriate following full financial appraisal; and
2. Agree to procure additional vehicles, included in the number above, which reduce dependency on short-term hire vehicles, which will improve resilience and reduce overall financial burden to the authority once full financial appraisal has occurred; and
3. Agree to conditionally authorise procurement of a further 15 vehicles, with a value of £460,000 these 15 vehicles are not currently funded, and procurement will not take place unless funding is confirmed.

·       13 of these were to replace aging frontline equipment that was owned by the council and operated by Neighbourhood Services. There was no current budget associated with these assets for replacements. No procurement would take place until a business case demonstrating the requirement for the vehicle/plant was reviewed and the required funding was confirmed as being available through appropriate governance channels.

·       2 of these had been requested by Facilities Management and Independent Living at Home. These were additional to the current fleet. No procurement would take place until a business case demonstrating the requirement for the vehicle was reviewed and the required funding was confirmed as being available through appropriate governance channels; and

1. Support a fleet operational & financial review, to determine the council’s vehicle requirement over the period of the MTFS, using a zero basis. This review will support the new Vehicle Replacement Strategy which considers changes to legislation, delivery of statutory services and compliance with the vehicle operator’s licence. It will also consider the effects to the MTFS, looking to ensure that the VRP keeps within the approved budgets for the foreseeable future.