Decision details

Considering the significant time pressures and the urgent need to bring in extra resource on bus franchising, the Bus Franchising Assessment Group agreed to look at securing a knowledgeable, intelligent internal client at director level, as SYMCA go through the assessment of a proposed franchising scheme.

Deloitte’s have considerable experience in this area having worked with other Government Authorities such as Wales, West Yorkshire and Liverpool.

Although the role would work at director level and help direct the Bus Franchising assessment work, the role would not have any decision-making authority. It would purely serve to develop, inform and advise the responsible directors on the key strategic content to drive forward the specifics that will enable the Franchising Assessment work to be concluded to the point of an MCA decision, on whether to progress the assessment to external audit and subsequently public consultation.

To appoint Deloitte’s to provide a secondee to deliver extra capacity and capability around the bus franchising programme for a period of 2 days per week for 12 months at an estimated cost of £184,710 - £204,360 plus agreed expenses.

Option 1 -
Contact agencies and test whether they have anyone on their books who may be available (immediately) to undertake the work – Nil response received

Option 2 -
Not make an appointment and put the franchising work at risk

Option 3 -
Appoint Deloitte’s