To consider a report from the Executive Member for Highways, Environmental, and Traded Services.

NOTE: An associated report is to be considered in Part II of the Agenda.

1.       That the position in relation to the negotiations conducted with Amey in accordance with the Executive’s decision in October 2019 and subsequent updates in November 2020 and December 2021 be noted.

2.       That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services, Director of Finance and Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer to agree final terms on any final negotiation outcomes relative to the outstanding issues resulting from the 7 Year Review as set out in the Part 2 report be approved.

3.       That the delegation to Director of Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements required as part of the final negotiated outcomes be approved.

4.       That the changes, outcomes and next steps associated with the continued management and delivery of the Amey contract as a result of the 7-year review to conclude the 7-year review process be approved.

The Executive Member for Highways, Environmental, and Traded Services introduced the report by providing an overview of the review that had been conducted over the previous two years. While the review had taken a large number of resources to conduct it had already delivered a number of improvements and efficiencies to services. The Executive Member went through the main areas of the review including refuse collection, green spaces, and de-carbonisation through the green based strategy. The Executive Member concluded his introduction by thanking the Highways manager and his team for all the work and engagement that they had undertaken as part of the review.

The Leader welcomed the report and seconded the Executive Member in thanking to the officers who worked on the review.

Executive Member for Climate Change noted that Members had previously had reservations about the partnership, its performance, and the delivery of services and the Scrutiny Committee had previously recommended to end the Contract. The Executive Member was assured by the work of the review that the contract was now fit for purpose and able to deliver services to Trafford residents.

The Executive Member for Economy and Regeneration also welcomed the outcomes of the review and the improvements that had already been seen. Noted that the green space strategy addressed a gap in the Council’s approach and that the Friends of Parks Groups would welcome the clarity around responsibilities for maintenance laid out.

The Leader then opened the floor for questions and comments from other members in attendance. The Leader of the Opposition along with Members from each opposition party made a series of comments and asked a series of questions relating to the review.  The comments made were broadly in support of the outcomes of the review and the questions covered a wide range of topics including refuse collection, grass cutting, membership of the Partnership Board, and the monitoring of the conditions of parks. Each question was given a detailed response by the Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services and the Corporate Director of Place with each questioner being satisfied with the response received.

The Leader summed up the discussions and noted the large amount of work that the review represented and how it would lead to better communication and engagement and increase capital investment in the area. The Leader encouraged Members to go to the depot to view the improvements that had been made, especially around the refuse management systems. The Leader noted that there would be continued scrutiny of the service going forward and welcomed the scrutiny of Members to help ensure that the service continued to improve. The Leader then read out the recommendations of the report which were approved.

RESOLVED:

1)    That the report be noted.

2)    That the position in relation to the negotiations conducted with Amey in accordance with the Executive’s decision in October 2019 and subsequent updates in November 2020 and December 2021 be noted.

3)    That the delegation of authority to the Corporate Director of Place in consultation with Executive Member for Highways, Environmental and Traded Services, Director of Finance and Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer to agree final terms on any final negotiation outcomes relative to the outstanding issues resulting from the 7 Year Review as set out in the Part 2 report be approved.

4)    That the delegation to Director of Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer to enter into legal agreements required as part of the final negotiated outcomes be approved.

5)    That the changes, outcomes, and next steps associated with the continued management and delivery of the Amey contract as a result of the 7-year review to conclude the 7-year review process be approved.