Festival upset for instructors

CYCLING instructors in Cornwall have spoken of their disappointment after they were not given the chance to take part in the Cornwall Festival of Cycling.

The contract to run the event was awarded to two firms from Manchester, much to the disappointment of local cycling instructors who usually get involved with the festival.

Wendy Creed, the first independent instructor to achieve Bikeability status in the country, is one of many based in the county. She, along with several other Cornwall-based instructors had agreed to get involved with a bid by Cycle Experience to run the event.

A tender document published by the county council stated that it was “desirable” that local instructors should be involved with the event.

However the council awarded the contract to Bike Right and Pennine Events – a joint bid by companies based in Lancashire.

Wendy said: “We are really upset that the county council has decided to employ a company from way outside the county to run this event.

“The bidders were required to name the personnel they would be using to run the event so they were perfectly aware that Cycle Experience would be using Cornwall instructors.

“The company which won the contract has brought all their own people from up country and not used any local instructors.”

In a statement the county council said: “We are aware of Wendy Creed's concerns and have arranged to meet with her to discuss the issues she has raised. The tender opportunity for the festival was advertised on the Tenders in Cornwall website in accordance with the county council's contract procedure rules and therefore was open to all, including local suppliers.

“Although the advert for Expressions of Interest did refer to the fact that in previous years locally based workers had been used and that this was desirable where possible, it was not a requirement of the tender specification and did not form part of the assessment criteria. The tender documentation clearly set out that the selection would be made on the basis of the most economically advantageous offer in terms of both cost and quality and as such the contract was awarded to Pennine Events in association with Bike Right.”