The Pre-Decision Scrutiny Questions and officer responses were noted.

DECISION

1.    To authorise the procurement of an architect and multi-disciplinary design team to take the design and construction through to completion and the inclusion of this contract on the Contracts Forward Plan.

2.    To authorise the procurement of an Employer’s Agent to take the construction through to completion.

3.    To authorise the procurement of a construction contractor to undertake the construction work.

4.    To note the budget approval of £51.400m for the development of George Green School and the funding sources identified and allocated for this purpose.

5.    To authorise the Corporate Director place to award the contracts referred to above in consultation with the Corporate Director of Resources, subject to approval through the capital governance process and tenders being within the approved capital estimate.

6.    To authorise the Corporate Director Place to enter into any agreements relating to and facilitating the above arrangements such as collateral warranties, novation agreements in order to protect the Council’s interests.

7.    To note the Equalities Impact Assessment as set out in Paragraph 4.1 of the report.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Capital Delivery (J. Abraham)

Reasons for Decision

The council’s Financial Regulations and Procurement Rules require Cabinet approval for the appointment of services over £0.250m and works over £5.000m. The appointment of the architect and multi-disciplinary design team to develop the design to planning submission stage is expected to cost in excess of £0.250m and the works contract will significantly exceed £5.000m.

Alternative Options

The Q4 Contracts Forward Plan is due to be presented to Cabinet early next year. Without an earlier approval, the procurement of a design team to submit a planning application by April 2022 will be delayed and it will not be possible to deliver a replacement scheme by the target date of September 2024.