RESOLVED:
1. That the award of the SEND school bus transport contract to Olympic South Limited (trading as Healthcare and Transport Services - HATS) for a period of five years and eight months with provision to extend for a further two years (1 + 1 years), making an estimated total contract value of £10.57m or £14.52m should the full extension periods be used be approved.
2. That it be noted that the contact will be awarded on 2 January 2015 but that the service will not commence until April 2015 to align with academic term times.
3. That it be agreed that the council’s longer term ambition for service users currently travelling in school transport vehicles (buses and/or taxis) where possible, is for them to travel independently so as to support them to lead the fullest possible lives. Working in partnership with the provider, children, young people and their families, the aim is that we take this journey together over the course of the new contract.