Issue - decisions

Matter for Decision:  

There were currently 176 bus shelters across Cambridge, 25 owned by the County Council, 89 by Clearchannel (formally Adshel) and the remaining 62 owned by the City Council.

 

The Officer’s report proposed to replace approximately 60% of the 62 City Council owned shelters and also provide 10 new shelters at existing bus stops.

 

Decision of Executive Councillor for Planning and Sustainable Transport:

(i) Approved financial recommendations –

·        Approved commencement of the project, which was already included in the Council’s Capital Plan (PR018) with additional £50,000 funding. The total capital cost of the project was £267,000, this was to be funded £217,000 Reserves and £50,000 R&R for new and replacement shelters.

·        The revenue costs of the project were £8,400, these would be the subject of a separate revenue bid.

 

(ii) Approved procurement recommendations -

·        Approved the carrying out and completion of the procurement of new and replacement bus shelters.

·        If the quotation or tender sum exceeded the estimated contract value by more than 15%, the permission of the Executive Councillor and Director of Finance would be sought prior to proceeding.

 

Reason for the Decision:

As set out in the Officer’s report.

 

Any alternative options considered and rejected:

Not applicable.

 

Scrutiny Considerations:

The committee received a report from the Project Delivery & Environment Manager regarding the new and replacement bus shelter project appraisal.

 

In response to Member’s questions the Project Delivery & Environment Manager confirmed the following:

 

(i) The Streetscene Operations Manager and colleagues monitored the performance of Clearchannel regarding provision and maintenance of bus shelters. The Project Delivery & Environment Manager undertook to liaise with Planning Officers, residents and Area Committee Councillors concerning the proposed new and replacement shelters. Further local consultation would only take place with directly affected residents for new shelter sites.

 

The Project Delivery & Environment Manager undertook to provide maps to Members setting out proposals for bus shelter locations and actions required (eg repair/replacement).

 

(ii) The design of bus shelters would be appropriate for their locations (eg in conservation areas).

 

Bus shelters would have a design life of 20 years. The City Council would be responsible for the maintenance of any shelters that it put in.

 

(iii) Adshel had previously put in bus shelters at their own expense, covering the cost through advertisements on the shelters. It would therefore require planning permission to move the shelters. The relocation of shelters could be reviewed at the end of the agreement with Clearchannel/Adshel in 2019.

 

(iv) It was the responsibility of the County Council, not City Council, to provide bus timetable information. The Officer undertook to liaise with county colleagues concerning the introduction of real time display information as part of the bus shelter overhaul.

 

The committee resolved unanimously to adopt the recommendation.

 

Conflicts of interest declared by the Executive Councillor (and any dispensations granted)

Not applicable.