Councillor Mike Hakata, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Environment, and Transport, approved additional funding for the Cycle Confident contract. This decision ensures the continuation of cycle training services until the contract's conclusion in February 2024.

Approval of Additional Funding for Cycle Confident

Councillor Mike Hakata approved a variation to the existing Cycle Confident contract, authorising an additional £0.065m to cover the remaining costs. This brings the total contract value to £0.675m. The additional funding is necessary because increased demand and associated costs for cycle training, supported by ring-fenced funding from Transport for London (TfL) through the Local Implementation Plan (LIP), have led the current provider, Cycle Confident Limited, to exhaust its allocated budget before the contract's expiry on 6th February 2024.

The original contract, awarded in March 2018 for three years with a value of £0.450m, covered school cycle training, one-to-one sessions, and Dr Bike maintenance. An extension was put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing the value by £0.160m and extending the period to February 2024. However, a significant uptake in demand and TfL funding over the last two years meant the expected contract value of £0.610m was reached sooner than anticipated. Cycle Confident has continued to deliver services, leading to some work being undertaken outside of the original funding agreements.

The decision to provide the additional funding was made to ensure payment for works already delivered and planned by Cycle Confident. The alternative of not paying was rejected, as Cycle Confident had delivered training in advance of payments to schools and community groups, and the Council had received the necessary funding from TfL. This contract variation aligns with the Corporate Delivery Plan 2022-2024 under the theme of Responding to the Climate Emergency, specifically aiming to improve access to alternative transport and increase cycling. The report highlighted that increasing cycling contributes to reducing air pollution, carbon emissions, and road congestion, while also improving physical health and wellbeing.

The additional £0.065m is fully funded by TfL's LIP grant, meaning there are no direct financial implications for the Council. Strategic Procurement confirmed that the variation complies with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015), specifically Regulation 72(1)(c), which permits modifications under unforeseen circumstances, provided they do not alter the nature of the contract and the increase does not exceed 50% of the original value. The Head of Legal & Governance also confirmed compliance with the PCR rules.

The meeting also noted information regarding filming at meetings. There were no apologies for absence, urgent business items, declarations of interest, or deputations, petitions, or questions raised.

• Cycle Confident Limited: The contractor providing cycle training services.
• Transport for London (TfL): The body providing ring-fenced funding for cycle training.
• Local Implementation Plan (LIP): A funding mechanism from TfL for local transport improvements.
• Dr Bike: A service where mechanics offer free safety checks and minor repairs for bicycles.
• Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015): Legislation governing public procurement in the UK.