PLA26095 Cashless Parking Payment System

Following review of the available options, the current provider is considered to offer the most appropriate solution for the Council's operational and strategic requirements. A key factor in this assessment is the ability to retain the Council's existing mixed charging model, whereby the Council meets the merchant/transaction processing costs associated with card payments, whilst end users who choose to pay by SMS are responsible for the SMS service charge. This approach supports customer choice, ensures transparency of charging, and enables the Council to manage parking payment costs effectively without placing additional financial burden on all users. The contract value outlined in this notice includes both transaction and SMS charges and will not be the full cost to the Council. Alternative solutions available through frameworks would require changes to the existing charging structure and could result in increased costs to either the Council or users, creating potential additional implementation complexity. Retaining the current model provides continuity of service and minimises operational disruption. In addition, the Council is currently operating within a period of uncertainty arising from Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). As future governance arrangements, service delivery models and parking contract requirements may change during the transition to a successor authority, it is not considered prudent to undertake a full procurement exercise or implement a substantially different parking platform at this time. Such an approach could lead to unnecessary procurement and implementation costs, duplication of effort, and the risk of introducing a solution that may require replacement or significant modification following reorganisation. A direct award to the current supplier allows the Council to maintain a proven and established service, preserve current customer payment options and charging arrangements, avoid unnecessary transition costs during the LGR period, and retain flexibility for the future authority to review and determine its longer-term parking strategy once reorganisation arrangements are confirmed. During the contract term the Council will review and consider moving its service to the National Parking Platform (NPP). The proposed award is considered to deliver best value to the Council, minimise operational and customer risk, and provide continuity of service during a period of organisational change.