Telford highways maintenance company given performance targets
Telford and Wrekin’s new highways maintenance company could have its contract cut short if it misses new performance targets under the terms of the deal.
Infrastructure giants Balfour Beatty Living Places was handed the job after a two-year selection process.
It will take over the job from Telford and Wrekin Services (TWS), whose contract for the borough’s roadworks will end next spring after 18 years.
Council highways service delivery manager Dominic Proud said Balfour Beatty’s contract could last a maximum of 14 years.
Updating a committee on the outcome of the selection process and the new arrangements, he said: “The big thing to note is that the current contract with TWS has two performance indicators. This means we have limited capacity to address performance failures.”
"The new system has 15 performance indicators, with the continuation of the contract tied to them meeting their targets.
“It’s a seven-year contract, and, for every year they meet their indicators, the contract will be extended a year, up to a maximum of 14,” he said.
“We’re trying to incentivise the contractors, and if they are not performing at all, we’ve got some penalties as well. It’s a ‘carrot and stick’ approach.”
Mr Proud added that Balfour Beatty had agreed to offer three apprenticeships, one graduate position and work placements for “NEETs” (people not in education, employment or training) annually throughout the life of the contract, and said councillors would have access to an app with up-to-date information about ongoing work.
He said: “If you raise a pothole job, that goes to a contractor and you should be able to get photos back to show it’s being done or has been done, or traffic management plans when they are in progress.”
Mr Proud was speaking to Telford and Wrekin Council’s Customer, Community and Partnership Scrutiny Committee, which also heard that the grounds and cleansing contract – which covers grass-cutting, street cleaning and tree pruning – had been awarded to ID Verde Ltd. Like Balfour Beatty, they will take over their sector from TWS on March 31 next year.
By Alex Moore - Local Democracy Reporter
