Bridgend Council’s Cabinet is set to discuss a one-year extension to an agreement with South Wales Police to run a joint vehicle fleet maintenance facility at Brackla Industrial Estate (Ty Richard Thomas).
A ten-year agreement began in 2015 and is set to end this month (pdf). The facility maintains vehicles for South Wales Police and the council. This includes gritters, tippers, vans, lorries, cars and other plant equipment like telehandlers and mowers.
The facility also undertakes MOT testing for private hire vehicles and taxis – though this is currently under review.
The expectation from BCBC’s side would be that the facility would break even, financially.
However, it currently makes a loss due to a reliance on (more expensive) agency staff to fill certain positions (particularly HGV technicians) and certain fees that don’t cover the full cost of providing the service.
The existing arrangement is said to “work well” for both parties. However, the shift towards electric vehicles – and BCBC’s plans to bring waste and recycling services in-house – will likely change what maintenance facilities are needed.
While a one-year extension has already been agreed in principle, both parties accept there needs to be a review on the long-term future of the service.
