Issue details

Proposed decision

Award a 2+1-year contract for Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (CSAS) officers to manage traffic on Kent’s strategic and local road network, supporting KCC’s role as a Category 1 responder within the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum (KMRF).

Reason for the decision

CSAS-accredited officers are required to support KMRF’s Operation Fennel plans for managing traffic disruption at Kent’s ports.

The service was previously delivered through the Highways Term Maintenance Contract, which ended on 30 April 2026, and is now provided under contract CN260704.

CN260704 was directly awarded under an approved waiver for 12 months, with no extension, and expires on 30 April 2027.

A longer-term contract is needed to secure continuity and better value for money.

Background

Kent is the UK’s principal gateway to Europe, carrying nationally important freight routes while facing significant border and traffic pressures. KMRF manages road disruption through the Operation Fennel plans.

KCC works with Kent Police and National Highways to manage disruption caused by border delays. National Highways deploys Operation Brock on the M20 and the Dover Traffic Management Plan, but its traffic officers must also maintain wider network duties. Kent Police has limited traffic resources and is expected to focus officers on core policing duties.

KCC therefore provides trained, accredited CSAS officers to fill these operational gaps and support sustained delivery of Operation Fennel while border arrangements continue to change.

How the proposed decision supports the Council’s Strategic Statement

The CSAS service supports the Council’s priorities for resilient communities, connectivity and economic stability.

Operation Fennel reduces congestion and improves journey-time reliability during border disruption.

CSAS officers help limit the impact of congestion on residents, businesses, access to employment and Kent’s economic competitiveness while KCC continues to seek a long-term alternative to Operation Brock with Government.

Financial Implications

Annual demand will vary according to planned peaks, unplanned disruption and future changes to border systems, meaning that requirements cannot be forecast precisely.

Based on previous expenditure, the anticipated annual cost is approximately £750,000. However, the procurement sets a maximum contract value of £1 million per year to provide flexibility for higher deployment, inflation, budget changes, capital investment and changes to operational plans.

Accordingly, the advertised maximum contract value is £3 million over the full three-year term, comprising an initial two-year period with an optional one-year extension.

The service is currently funded by His Majesty’s Government through section 31 grants under the Local Government Act 2003. The funding position for the proposed contract is set out below.

Government funding for the full period of the proposed contract is expected but has not yet been guaranteed. The proposed cost over the three-year term is up to £3 million and is expected to be fully funded by Government grant. No contract will therefore be entered into, and no expenditure committed, until a funding agreement is in place and sufficient Government funding has been secured, ensuring that KCC is not exposed to financial risk. Use of the optional third year will also be dependent on confirmed funding availability

Legal Implications  

Legal Services is advising on the contract’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) clause so it can transfer to another body or a successor authority if required.

LGR will not alter local authorities’ Civil Contingencies Act duties. Successor councils will remain Category 1 responders responsible for emergency planning, risk assessment, business continuity, public information and multi-agency cooperation.

KMRF is expected to continue because Local Resilience Forums follow police-force boundaries. Local authority representation will transfer to the new unitary authorities.

KMRF and its plans, including Operation Fennel’s requirement for CSAS provision, are expected to remain in place.

Government’s Kent Resilience Strategy is considering longer-term alternatives to Operation Fennel. Until these are available, Government funding for existing plans, including CSAS officers, is expected to continue. The future recipient of that funding will be resolved through LGR discussions.