Decision details
Authority to Direct Award for a contract for Legal Services for the procurement of the South Kilburn District Heat Network Contractor (Non-Key Recordable Officer Decision)
Decision Maker: Director - Property and Assets
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Purpose:
To request authority to award a contract for heat network specialist legal advisory services for the procurement of the South Kilburn District Heat Network main contractor.
Decision:
That the Director Property and Assets:
i) Notes that on 12 March 2025 the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property granted an exemption from the requirement to tender for a contract for heat network specialist legal advice to the procurement of the South Kilburn District Heat Network.
ii) Notes the Contract Standing Order 89 considerations.
iii) Approves the direct award of the contract for heat network specialist legal advice to the procurement of the South Kilburn District Heat Network main contractor for 11 months in the sum of £250,000 to Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council requires the provision of specialist heat network legal advisory services for the procurement of the South Kilburn District Heat Network main contractor. Council officers have sought and obtained an exemption from the requirement to tender a contract and recommend award of the contract to the named contractor.
Alternative options considered:
Officers considered whether the legal advice could be provided by the council itself but concluded that a specialist advisory service is best provided by an external legal firm.
Officers reviewed a range of procurement options but consider that a direct award to the named contractor is the most appropriate means of procuring a contractor.
The main alternative would be to seek to appoint a new external legal firm to provide the required services. This has been discounted as it would add significant time to the South Kilburn District Heat Network progress and a loss of key knowledge and experience on the project.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
None.
Wards Affected: Kilburn;
Cabinet/Committee Decision or Scheme of Delegation: Officer scheme of delegation - non-key recordable officer decision.
Parties Consulted: Ward members are being kept up to date on progress on the South Kilburn Estate Regeneration to which the South Kilburn District Heat Network is a significant part of. Potential off-takers and contractors delivering the new accommodation within South Kilburn have been kept up to date with the South Kilburn District Heat Network Progress.
Contact: Francesca Campagnoli, District Heat Network Manager Email: Francesca.Campagnoli@brent.gov.uk Tel: 020 8937 3772.
Publication date: 03/04/2025
Date of decision: 03/04/2025