Decision details
Authority to award a professional services contract for the Post-16 SEND provision at Welsh Harp (non-key officer recordable 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 professional services contract for the Post-16 SEND provision at Welsh Harp.
Decision:
That the Director – Property and Assets:
i) Approves the award of the professional services contract for the Post-16 SEND Provision at Welsh Harp to Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd for £233,738.
Reasons for the decision:
The Council approached Morgan Sindall via the SCAPE Construction Framework Lot 1 to understand the indicative costs and timescales to deliver the Post-16 SEND Provision project at Welsh Harp. Morgan Sindall provided information for the Council to consider.
Officers are seeking approval to award the professional services contracts for the project by calling off the SCAPE Construction Framework Lot 1 in order to complete the design and provide fixed costs to carry out the required works.
Alternative options considered:
One alternative option considered was to procure the scheme through alternative construction frameworks, however, the Council has found it challenging to elicit sufficient bids of the required quality recently. There were also concerns raised relating to the financial strength of the bidders who provided bids for the projects.
Another alternative procurement method was an open tender procedure. This was discounted owing to the delays in appointing a contractor would have on the programme and there would be no guarantee that a different result would be received. The current proposed decision provides a well-resourced, financial stable contractor who has the capacity to deliver the scheme effectively and efficiently.
Wards Affected: Welsh Harp;
Cabinet/Committee Decision or Scheme of Delegation: Officer scheme of delegation - non-key officer recordable decision
Parties Consulted: The Lead Member for Children, Young People and Schools and the Lead Member for Regeneration, Planning and Property have been consulted on the progress of this project. Ward members will be kept up to date with project progress. The Senior Leadership Team at the school and Thames21 (operator of the environmental education centre) have been kept up to date with the progress on the project and have been involved in the design stages to date. They will be contacted to arrange kick-off meetings with the Contractor, should the professional services contracts be awarded.
Contact: Neil Martin, Head of Capital Delivery Email: neil.martin@brent.gov.uk Tel: 020 8937 4203.
Publication date: 11/12/2025
Date of decision: 11/12/2025