Asset Management, Culture & Housing Cabinet Member – Minutes – 31 July 2014

109   (11) CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR DELIVERING THE HUMBER UTC PROJECT – The Director of Places submitted a report which sought to approve the award of design and Build Lump Sum contract to Engage North Lincolnshire Ltd (‘LEP’) for the Humber UTC project.

The council had a contractual framework in place with the LEP to deliver the BSF programme and other projects.

The Asset Management, Culture and Housing Cabinet Member approved procurement of the design and construction of the Humber UTC project using the LEP in May 2014.

Cabinet Member approval was needed for any new projects to obtain funding approval from the Education Funding Agency (EFA), to then move to award a Design and Build Lump Sum contract via the contractual framework.

The EFA supported using the LEP to build the Humber UTC and was conditional on them approving a Final Business Case (FBC) for the project. A promissory note would then be issued which would allow the council to move to Financial Close with assurance that funding was secure.

Due to the timescales involved an urgent decision was needed to meet the target financial close date which was 1 August 2014.  It was explained that this would allow work to start on site on 4 August 2014.

The works involved were outlined at Appendix 1 to the report.

Although not the decision maker, Cllr Redfern had declared her status as a council appointed director of the UTC pursuant to Regulation 13 2 (d) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Resolved – (a) That the award of the Design and Build Lump Sum contract subject to receipt of the promissory note from the EFA be approved; (b) that the Director of Policy and Resources be authorised to sign, seal, execute and deliver all legally binding documents relating to the progression of the Humber UTC Design and Build contract, and (c) that the Cabinet Member receives updates at scheduled Asset Management, Culture and Housing Cabinet Member briefings on the progress of the design and construction of the Humber UTC project.