Decision details

The Town Hall Site Redevelopment has reached its next key milestone. The Council's Development Managers have issued a draft Tender Report following discussions and clarifications. Their recommendation is to issue the contractor with two Letters of Intent with a view to entering into contract to build both the New Town Hall and associated works, and the District Heat Network. This will allow design, procurement and preparatory works to be undertaken, contract documents to be prepared and final due diligence checks to take place whilst keeping the projects to programme ahead of any signing of contracts.

The Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Head of Legal, Democracy and HR has:
• Agreed that the Council's Development Manager will provide the contractor with a Letter of Intent for both the development of the New Town Hall (and associated works) and the District Heat Network, stating our intention to appoint the contractor and allow them to undertake pre-contract works including finalising design, procuring sub-contractors and preparatory works ahead of signing a contract
• This period allows for the contract to be finalised, for final due diligence checks to be made and for communications to be agreed, without adversely impacting upon the programme.
• A further report will be brought prior to any final appointment of a contractor for the New Town Hall and the District Heat Network

In February 2017, the Council agreed the deliverables of the Town Hall Site redevelopment, the budget lines to achieve this, and the delegated powers to develop and proceed with the development (set out in more detail in Section 4). This report does not therefore seek any new decision but provides an update at a key milestone in the project. In this way comments and considerations can be taken into account within the decisions undertaken through delegated powers.