Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval to a new strategy for the procurement of works contracts for the next phase of the school expansion programme (Phase 3), which aims to provide sufficient permanent school places to meet demand from September 2015. 

(i)         that approval be given to the strategy for the procurement of works as set out in paragraph 3.16 of the report to deliver the Phase 3 School Expansion Programme of projects;

(ii)        that approval be given to the invite of tenders on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.17 where this was considered by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration and Housing, the Director of Legal and Procurement and Chief Finance Officer as the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with the strategy for the procurement of works to deliver the Phase 3 School Expansion Programme;

(iii)       that in respect of paragraph (ii) above, approval be given to the evaluation of tenders on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.17 of the  report.  Following evaluation, Cabinet approval will be sought to award high value contracts in accordance with Council Standing Orders;

(iv)       that it be noted that officers would review a medium term procurement solution for the development and delivery of capital projects (including establishment of a Brent contractors framework) and report back to Cabinet early in the New Year, as described in paragraph 3.15.

Councillor McLennan (Lead Member, Regeneration and Housing) introduced the report which sought approval to a new strategy for the procurement of works contracts for the next phase of the school expansion programme (Phase 3), which aimed to provide sufficient permanent school places to meet demand from September 2015.  Councillor McLennan explained that the delivery of the school expansions to time and budget was becoming increasingly difficult, partly as a consequence of changes in the construction market which were making it more difficult to procure contractors to build the schools.  The proposal was to bundle school expansion projects into packages so as to be more attractive to contractors.

Councillor Moher (Lead Member, Children and Young People) welcomed the proposals and the increased opportunity to provide school places, sentiments echoed by the other Cabinet members. The Strategic Director, Regeneration and Growth confirmed that the usual consultation arrangements for expansions with schools and stakeholders would still apply.

RESOLVED:

(i)         that approval be given to the strategy for the procurement of works as set out in paragraph 3.16 of the report to deliver the Phase 3 School Expansion Programme of projects;

(ii)        that approval be given to the invite of tenders on the basis of the pre-tender considerations set out in paragraph 3.17 of the joint report from the Strategic Directors of Children and Young People and Regeneration and Growth where this was considered by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Growth, in consultation with the Lead Member for Regeneration and Housing, the Director of Legal and Procurement and Chief Finance Officer, as the most appropriate procurement route in accordance with the strategy for the procurement of works to deliver the Phase 3 School Expansion Programme;

(iii)       that in respect of paragraph (ii) above, approval be given to the evaluation of tenders on the basis of the evaluation criteria set out in paragraph 3.17 of the  report.  Following evaluation, Cabinet approval will be sought to award high value contracts in accordance with Council Standing Orders;

(iv)       that it be noted that officers would review a medium term procurement solution for the development and delivery of capital projects (including establishment of a Brent contractors framework) and report back to Cabinet early in the New Year, as described in paragraph 3.15 of the report.