Bracknell Forest Council is planning a major overhaul of school transport this summer, covering the whole borough from Warfield to Sandhurst and costing millions.
The meeting on Tuesday 28 April was held behind closed doors and the cabinet decided to replace the current Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS), which expires at the end of August.
The change moves the council to a formal tendering process to tighten oversight and boost competition among transport providers. Leaders say it will deliver better value while keeping safety and reliability, and they have committed £35 million to a new long-term system.
Under the Education Act 1996 councils must provide free, suitable transport for eligible pupils. The report warns that failing to act would disrupt services for families and have knock-on effects across council services.
What used to happen?
Since September 2020 the council used an ad-hoc 'Dynamic Purchasing System' so approved operators could join and bid for individual routes. Spot purchasing individual journeys is now judged costly, inconsistent and weak on quality assurance.
The new decision explicitly rejects re-commissioning via "a Dynamic Market", citing high resource demands and limits on issuing smaller call-off contracts. Spot purchases are seen as unlikely to deliver value for money or consistent quality.
The authority warned it would face a "significant failure" to meet its legal duties without a replacement.
The new framework starts on 1 August 2026, investing about £4m-£5m a year for just over three years, with a possible extension to a full eight-year term until August 2034.
Cabinet has given the Executive Director: People the power to award contracts and approve extensions to speed procurement. The decision takes effect on 7 May unless it is called in for scrutiny.
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
