Issue - decisions

Before the Committee was a report by the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources copies of which had been circulated to all Members and a copy of which is attached to the signed copy of these minutes as Item 6.

West Sussex County Council had agency agreements with Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council (who acted as agents) for the provision of on-street civil parking enforcement in the council areas.  The agreement was due for renewal on 1st April 2022.

Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council had a joint contract with NSL Services for the provision of decriminalised traffic and parking enforcement services and controlled parking zone management in the council areas.  The agreement expired on the 31st March 2022 and a procurement exercise was required in order to procure services to commence 1st April 2022.

By agreeing to enter the new contract with West Sussex County Council and procure enforcement services for 5 years (with the option to extend for a further 2 years) the Councils were ensuring a level of influence over on-street arrangements, and involving West Sussex County Council in discussions about positively impacting on the regeneration of the town centre.

The report sought approval for the following:

·       To enter into a new Agency Agreement to start 1st April 2022 with West Sussex County Council and to act as their parking enforcement agents in relation to Civil Parking Enforcement;

·       To procure services for Civil Parking Enforcement; and

·       To delegate authority to the Director for Digital, Sustainability and Resources to award the contract to the most economically advantageous supplier and for the contract to start 1st April 2022 for 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years.

A member queried whether the contract would be able to address the issue of parking on grass verges. It was noted that the Councils had no legal power to do so at the current time, however, the LGA were lobbying the government to provide that power.  

Questions were received from Members in relation to the renewal date of the agency agreement with West Sussex County Council, break clause conditions in the contract with NSL and the cost allocation between Adur and Worthing Councils. Officers confirmed that the renewal date was April 2022, that there were relevant break clauses in the contract and that the cost allocation was attributable to the difference in parking controls across Adur and Worthing.

The recommendations as set out in the report were proposed by Councillor Kevin Boram, seconded by Councillor Ed Crouch and unanimously supported by the Committee.

Decision  

The Joint Strategic Committee:

1.     authorised Adur District Council and Worthing Borough Council entering into a new agency agreement with West Sussex County Council, on the terms set out in this Agreement, for the delivery by the Councils of  Civil Parking Enforcement services for West Sussex County Council,  to commence 1st April 2022;

2.     authorised officers to procure services for a Civil Parking Enforcement Supplier to carry out those Services; and

3.     delegated authority to the Director of Digital, Sustainability &  Resources to enter into a contract with the most economically advantageous supplier from the tender process to commence on 1st April 2022 for a term of 5 years with the option to extend for a further 2 years. 

Call In:

The call-in deadline for decisions will be 5.00pm on 19 November 2021.