Case study detail
The Bike's the Business
Sustainable procurement in Brighton & Hove CC: procuring a local tricycle courier service
Contributed by:
Maria Arnold
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In 2005 Brighton and Hove City Council procured the services of ‘The Bike’s the Business’ tricycle courier service. The initiative has resulted in the council cutting their courier fleet by a seventh, has reduced CO2 emissions and supported the growth of small, local low-environmental impact business.
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Overview
 | Supported by CIPFA, the LGA and the IDeA, Financing Local Futures is a web-based resource designed to help those involved in local government financial decision-making to develop their own organisations' contributions to sustainable development. |
Sustainable Development Benefits:
Reduction in CO2 emissions, supports development of small, local, environmentally friendly business; community leadership
Financial Benefits:
Project is cost neutral.
Levers/Mechanisms:
Procurement – through National Procurement Strategy.
Case Study:
Brighton and Hove City Council operate an in-house postal and courier service. When a vacancy arose in 2005, the Council decided to use the available finances to procure the services of ‘The Bike’s The Business,’ a local worker’s cooperative which provides cycle courier services across the city. Using the co-operative’s services, the Council reduced the number of motor vehicles in its own courier service by a seventh; thereby reducing green house gas emissions. It has also improved the speed of the service.
Brighton and Hove City Council procured the services of ‘The Bike’s The Business’ after a six month trial period. With no alternative providers available the Council were able to waive the requirement to put the contract for this service out to tender under their Contract Standing Orders.
Procuring ‘The Bike’s The Business’ services has helped assist the Council in reaching the National Procurement Strategy objectives which all councils were expected to achieve by 2006. These objectives included realising economic, social and environmental benefits for their communities through their procurement activities; and operating a mixed economy of service provision including small firms.
‘The Bike’s The Business’ was able to expand after securing the Council contract, taking on 6 additional contracts. Brighton and Hove’s procurement of the service therefore not only helped reduce the CO2 emissions of the Council, but has also supported the development of a small, local, low carbon business.
Simon Burgess, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, said, "We have taken the lead and worked together with The Bikes The Business to develop this single, central courier delivery route that supports our sustainable transport policy, helps a small business under our SME concordat and reduces CO2 emissions through pedal power and 100% renewable electricity. It's also highly visible which helps us makes an important statement to our residents about our commitment to sustainability and cutting congestion."
Key features
local government
transport
Key data
Project Team:
Cost:
Local Authority: Brighton & Hove City Council
Links
Brighton and Hove City Council
The Bike's the Business
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