£470k council contract for five gritters

Renfrewshire Council will hire five gritters to support its winter maintenance programme – if a deal is approved by councillors this week, writes Jack Thomson, Local Democracy Reporter.

A contract for the hire of the vehicles will go before the finance, resources and customer services policy board for consideration tomorrow.

If rubber-stamped, an agreement – which is worth in excess of £470,000 – will be signed with industry leading manufacturer Econ Engineering.

A report to the board explained: “Renfrewshire Council have a requirement for the hire of five x 18T gritters for a period of three gritting seasons to assist with the council’s winter gritting programme.

“Renfrewshire Council’s environment, housing and infrastructure service has a statutory obligation to have gritters in place to assist with the council’s winter gritting programme.

“This contract will support the council’s current fleet in order to carry out the winter gritting programme therefore ensuring roads within the council’s responsibility are managed and maintained and are safe during the winter months.”

The starting date for the contract is expected to be September 18, 2024, running until April 14, 2027.

However, the dates will be confirmed in the council’s letter of acceptance to Econ Engineering.

Community benefits were requested as part of the procurement process and form part of the agreement.

These include five work experience placements for those aged 16 and over, who are not currently in employment, education or training.

The report said the contract value of £474,090, excluding VAT, will be met from the council’s environment, housing and infrastructure revenue (external vehicle hire) budget.

It added the deal would make sure the local authority’s roads network is “maintained to a safe standard”in the winter months.