Decision details

Approval to award a contract for consultancy support for a school streets pilot project

Decision Maker: Director - Highways & Transport

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

To approve, award and enter into a contract with Project Centre Ltd. trading as Marston Holdings Ltd. to provide consultancy support for a pilot of school streets schemes.

Reasons for the decision:

In accordance with our Business Plan priorities (listed below) Wiltshire Council are considering options to facilitate the delivery of effective school travel plans by providing easy-to-implement measures for schools to adopt in order to reduce car use on the school journey and to encourage walking, cycling and scooting.

As agreed with the Cabinet Member for Highways, one measure under consideration is a scheme of school streets. In order to evaluate the likely impact of such a measure, Wiltshire Council have been out to market for the appointment of a specialist consultant in the provision of school streets, to provide support with consultation, design and implementation.

The contract is for a maximum of three years. It will enable the council to undertake a pilot of a number of school sites during the first year. If the outcome of the pilot is successful, then we can add an additional number of sites for a further two years.

Business Plan priorities:
• Empower people – ‘We are safe’, ‘We stay active’;
• Resilient Society – ‘We ensure decisions are evidence-based’;
• Thriving Communities – ‘We have vibrant, well-connected communities’;
• Sustainable Environment – ‘We are on the path to carbon neutral’.

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements: NA

Views of relevant cabinet member(s), committee chairman, area board(s): Yes

Consultation with cabinet member(s), the Leader and Scrutiny (for Executive decisions taken under Emergency Powers): NA

Consultation in accordance with the council’s consultation guidance and the views emanating from that process: Yes

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure: Yes

Staffing, financial and legal implications: Yes

The assessment of any associated risks in accordance with the Council’s risk management strategy: Yes

Involvement of appropriate statutory officers and/or corporate directors and directors: Yes - Lizzie Watkin

Regional or national guidance from other bodies where relevant: Yes - active travel england guidance

The council’s constitution, including the Procurement and Contract Rules (Part 10) and the Financial Regulations and Procedure Rules (Part 9), all relevant guidance, legislation, codes of practice, and protocols: Yes

Alternative options considered:

This is a necessary procurement step to enable the contract to be formally entered into between Wiltshire Council and Project Centre Ltd. trading as Marston Holdings Ltd.

Conflict of Interest: Not applicable

Background: As Director of Highways and Transport - Place, pursuant to section 8 of the Scheme of Sub-Delegation dated 8 April 2025, I am authorised under Wiltshire Council’s Constitution to make the above decision on behalf of Lucy Townsend, Chief Executive.

Contact: Samantha Howell, Interim Corporate Director - Place Email: samantha.howell@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Publication date: 23/06/2025

Date of decision: 08/05/2025

Accompanying Documents: