Transfer of Mhs Vehicle Fleet to Borough of Poole Environmental & Consumer Protection Services

BOROUGH OF POOLE ENVIRONMENT OVERVIEW GROUP

1 DECEMBER 2005

INFORMATION REPORT OF THE HEAD OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSUMER PROTECTION SERVICES

TRANSFER OF MHS VEHICLE FLEET TO BOROUGH OF POOLE ENVIRONMENTAL & CONSUMER PROTECTION SERVICES

1.0INTRODUCTION

1.1 To provide members with an update on the transfer in house of the fleet and vehicle maintenance function of the workshops, to form an important new service within Environmental & Consumer Protection Services, following the closure of the Councils contractor Municipal Hire Services (MHS) .

2. INFORMATION

2.1 The Council entered into a partnership contract with MHS on the 20th December 2001 for the supply, and maintenance of 115 vehicles a value of £1.5 million per annum. On the 17th March 2005 MHS went into administration. Attempts by Ernst and Young the administrators to achieve a trade sale failed. In response a team of officers extensively negotiated to secure the fleet and protect the frontline service delivery they support.

2.2 The negotiations were successfully concluded on the 1st October 2005 with the Borough of Poole utilising reserves to purchase the vehicle fleet and workshop equipment. Workshop employees were transferred through TUPE to the Council’s direct employment.

3. CURRENT POSITION

3.1 With the successful transfer process now complete, the service is being managed by Environmental and Consumer Protection Services. The priority is now to stabilise the service and ensure that all the functions required by users (Transportation. Social Services, Leisure, ECPS and a number of smaller users) are fully satisfied and standards maintained.

3.2 Fleet Operations staffing structure is being reviewed to meet operational demands, as agreed by vacancy clearance.

3.3Contracts and improved working relationships with suppliers have been successfully established.

1 3.4 Improvements to the workshop premises are being undertaken to improve working conditions, and signage for site users.

3.5 Fleet management support software is being sourced and evaluated to ensure excellence in frontline service delivery can be achieved.

4 THE FUTURE

4.1 A procurement policy to replace vehicles at the end of their economic life is currently being developed by Environmental & Consumer Protection Services in conjunction with Legal Services, Financial Services and fleet users. This may highlight the need for the modernization of workshop facilities. Once developed these proposals will be the subject of a further report to members.

4.2 Opportunities for partnership working with neighbouring Local Authorities will be pursued and developed appropriately.

Shaun Robson Head of Environmental & Consumer Protection Services

Contact Officer Steve Chapple – Waste Services Manager Telephone No: 01202 261760