COUNCIL’S GROWING PAINS CONTINUE

11-03-2009

Yesterday’s Stirrer gave the lowdown on Birmingham Council’s double cock-up over its contracts for parks and trees maintenance around the city. The official response is in.

We explained that the contract for pruning trees had been won by a bidder – a company called Fountains – who didn’t meet all the criteria and who were thus disqualified.

Even more oddly, the clause they failed on – membership of the Arboretum Association – isn’t even a legal requirement.

It meant that the best firm for the job lost out, because of unnecessary red tape which has now led the local authority into a costly legal battle with one of the unsuccessful bidders (see link here).

Then there was the main parks maintenance contract, which was successfully tendered for by a firm called Vale, who then backed out.

That left the Erdington and Hodge Hill constituencies without a contractor – and raised the prospect that the specifications would be downgraded across the city to ensure that the cost of replacing Vale could be met (see link here).

Serious issues of competence at stake, then, as we’re sure you’ll agree – requiring a comprehensive response.

Here’s what the Council said, in full:

1. Tree contract: We are currently involved in legal proceedings and therefore cannot make a comment at this time.
2. Hodge Hill and Erdington contracts: A Cabinet Meeting has been called for Friday March 13 (3.30pm) at which a number of options will be considered and Cabinet will make their decision. Obviously it would be wrong to pre-empt this decision.