The procurement model for the home to school transport contract award for 2023/24 has been approved by Rutland County Council.

Speaking to members of the cabinet at a meeting on 14 February, Conservative Cllr Rosemary Powell, deputy leader and portfolio holder for planning, highways and transport, said: "Rutland County Council provides a range of transport services including home to school transport, transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), transport for children looked after, post-16 education transport, and public transport services in line with statute and council policy.

"Alongside provision through the council's in-house commissioned transport fleet, this transport is also provided by a number of external organisations including bus, minibus and taxi, via a range of long term, short term and emergency contracts. These service requirements are reviewed each year alongside contract expiration dates, and this report sets out the process and proposed award criteria for the procurement of home to school transport contracts, along with recommendations for approval and delegation of any final award."

The report showed three kinds of service that the council will look to procure: Lot 1 – school bus contracts, Lot 2 – specialist transport such as taxis and/or minibuses, and Lot 3 – what are known as 'pence per mile' taxis and buses.

Each individual route has its own contract length based on the requirements of the students using it, and tends to be offered for a period of five years where possible, with contracts for 2023/24 designed to encourage transport providers to submit competitive bids.

The contract value, to a maximum of five years over the three lots is £2,578,754 for 2023/24; this compares with previously advertised costs of £1,258,461 in 2020/21 and £1,829,023 in 2021/22. Part of the increase is due to the year on year rise in the number of SEND students requiring transport, with the remainder due to rising fuel costs.

Members of the cabinet unanimously approved the procurement model for 2023/24 on the basis that bidding companies must meet quality criteria initial screening in order to be eligible to tender, and thereafter contracts will be awarded on the basis of cost to a bidder who meets the quality criteria.