Purpose

Approval for the Council to enter into a concession contract relating to the supply, installation and maintenance of bus shelters in Peterborough and the selling and management of advertising space on them.

Decision

Cabinet RESOLVED to:
1. Approve the award of the concession contract to Bauer Media Outdoor UK Ltd for the installation, operation and maintenance of bus shelters and associated advertisement infrastructure for a period of 10 years, with five optional extensions of two years each, with effect from 1 November 2026.
2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Governance, to carry out all steps necessary to implement the decision, including the ability to invoke the extension periods and vary the concession contract in accordance with its terms and conditions.

Alternative options considered

In reaching a proposed way forward, a do-nothing approach, as well as

alternative commercial options were considered and ruled out.

Do-nothing: A ‘do-nothing’ approach was not considered appropriate. The council has a contract for 34 bus shelters / advertisement units that are owned

by the existing concessionaire. If the council did not procure a new contract the concessionaire would remove all 34 bus shelters that would have a negative impact for bus users and the council would need to fund the replacement and future maintenance of these shelters. In addition, a new contract allows the council to make an income from the sale of advertisements, improving its financial position. Alternative commercial models: These were discounted because they were too complex, put too much risk on the council, and were unlikely to attract interest from the market.