Durham park and ride row leads to changes

Apr 21 2009 by Neil Mckay, The Journal

UNDER-FIRE councillors are to have a greater input in the awarding of contracts after coming under widespread public flak over a decision made by officers over a park and ride service.

Durham County Councillors have been criticised by users of the successful £10m park and ride Durham City service after a rival firm to the local operator emerged as the “preferred bidder” to run it for the next five years.

Because of the outcry Durham County Council – the North’s biggest local authority – set up a working party of councillors from all parties which met for the first time yesterday to examine how the authority awards its commercial contracts.

Bus operator Arriva North East had emerged as the “preferred bidder” to run the park and ride even though five other companies had submitted lower tenders.

These included the current operator, Scarlet Band, which has a 98% approval rating from users. Councillor Joe Armstrong, chair of the County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Management Board which met yesterday, successfully moved that the issue of the contract be re-examined by the authority’s ruling Cabinet.

Admitting he had not known that Scarlet Band had lost the contract until “somebody told me in the pub”, he added: “Our input should be greater in deciding the awarding of contracts.

“An earlier engagement of members would lead to a better outcome.”

Coun Brian Avery agreed, saying: “It is us who are having to take the flak. We need some level of political and social input on such decisions.”