Decision details

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Growth presented a report regarding the recommended operating model and strategy for procurement to acquire a Travel Hub operator to manage the Prestwich Village Travel Hub. Things were progressing well on-site, with competition anticipated for summer 2026. Options for the operation of the site were set out in the paper, but cost was a key consideration and the recommendation was for an external operator. It was noted that parking would be subject to a future report.

In response to Member questions, it was noted that performance management could be undertaken in the Council’s usual way using experience of the multi-storey parking in the Millgate as well as third party parking enforcement and private sector partners in other areas (e.g. housing). With regards to tariffs, it was noted that the Council would still set these and the third party operator would manage the operation.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Approved the recommended operations management model for the Prestwich Travel Hub. This is the use of an external, specialist travel hub operator;

2.    Approved the undertaking of a two-stage procurement process for appointment of an external operator for the Travel Hub covering an initial soft market testing process followed by an external competitive procurement in-keeping with the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. This will likely include the use of a relevant procurement Framework.

3.    Approved the management of the Prestwich Travel Hub asset within the Bury Council Commercial Asset Portfolio by the Land & Property Service, with support from Parking Services; and

4.    Approved the Director of Regeneration & Project Delivery in consultation with the Council’s Procurement service to agree the preferred route to market.

Reasons for the decision:

Use of a third-party external operator for the Prestwich Travel Hub represents the best value for money for the Council for the reasons outlined in the body of the report. Procurement of a travel hub operator to be carried out under a competitive process governed by the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015) and Procurement Act 2023 - it is common practice to access compliant procurement frameworks to streamline the procurement process. A travel hub operator should be appointed as soon as possible in the construction delivery process to enable them to contribute to final stage design. A delay in procuring the operator risks delays to the construction delivery programme or abortive work. It is crucial that there is also influence to the final operational requirements and to avoid unnecessary additional costs. Commercial assets are currently the responsibility of the Council’s Land & Property Service, and it is appropriate that the Prestwich Travel Hub be added to this management portfolio.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

Officers have considered the financial and operational implications of managing the Prestwich Travel Hub ‘in-house’ within the Parking Services team of the Council. This option represented a higher cost than the use of an external operator. The Parking Services team currently has no experience of managing travel hub type facilities and has limited opportunities to secure economies of scale in the supply chain/operationally compared to external parties.