My questions relate to the council’s transport services.
1) Does the local authority operate a supplier framework (a list of accredited companies or individuals that can provide services to the local authority) for the following:
a. Special Educational Needs (SEN) Transport
b. Home to School transport
c. Taxi Services
d. Transport for Adult Care
Devon County Council (DCC) operates a Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for approved operators.
2) If the Council does operate a supplier framework, how many suppliers are currently listed on each framework for:
a. SEN Transport
b. Home to School
c. Taxi Services
d. Transport for Adult Care
The DPS contains 6 Lots:
| Lot | Category | Registered Operators | ||||||||
| Lot 1 | PCV Contracted transport (including option for provision of Contractor Escorts) | 68 | ||||||||
| Lot 2 | Hackney / Private Hire transport (including option for provision of Contractor Escorts) | 388 | ||||||||
| Lot 3 | Driver and Escort provision (for DCC vehicles) | 75 | ||||||||
| Lot 4 | Ambulance Transport to include qualified crew | 29 | ||||||||
| Lot 5 | Public transport | 31 | ||||||||
| Lot 6 | Other car provision (including option for provision of Contractor Escorts) | 16 | ||||||||
3) For the years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24, how many transport routes operate currently (as of 05/02/24) for:
a. SEN Transport
b. Home to School
c. Taxi Services
d. Transport for Adult Care
4) For the same time period, how many individuals have used each of the following transport services?
a. SEN Transport
b. Home to School
c. Taxi Services
d. Transport for Adult Care
For questions 3 and 4, we do not hold cumulative data, the figures provided are for a snapshot taken during that particular year. ‘Home to School’ transport is assumed to mean ‘Mainstream’ transport, i.e. education home to school transport to a non-SEN establishment, not including Social Care transport. SEN, Mainstream and Adult Care transport includes contracted taxis or buses, DCC vehicles and Petrol Allowances for parents/carers. Public and Rail routes are not included.
Therefore figures for ‘Taxi Services’ also contribute to the SEN, Mainstream and Adult Care figures. Temporary contracts are not included.
| 2022 Routes | 2022 Passengers | 2023 Routes | 2023 Passengers | 2024 Routes | 2024 Passengers | |
| SEN | 883 | 2049 | 932 | 2678 | 949 | 2417 |
| Mainstream | 821 | 11033 | 788 | 10891 | 768 | 10444 |
| Taxi | 1093 | 2554 | 1106 | 2981 | 1069 | 2851 |
| Adult Care | 121 | 183 | 118 | 176 | 83 | 120 |
5) For the financial years 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2023/24 what is the council’s current net spend on providing as of 05/02/24:
a. SEN Transport
b. Home to School
c. Taxi Services
d. Transport for Adult Care
| Financial Year | Net Spend | ||
| 2021-22 | £38,955,498.93 | ||
| 2022-23 | £44,621,243.68 | ||
| 2023-24 (as of month 11) | £46,979,382.10 | ||