Agenda item

To consider the report.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed:

a.        That Taylor Woodrow SWH Contracting be identified as the preferred main contractor to deliver the works with formal appointment being subject to the successful outcome of further officer and contractor discussions to value engineer and de-scope elements of work to bring an agreed contract price to within project budget levels.

b.        That a delegation be provided to the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets in consultation with the Service Director Economy, Employment and Planning to confirm contractor appointment following the discussions and which must result in assurance that the project will not require additional top up funds from Somerset Council.

c.        The work to de-scope and value engineer the project will include the following; a reduction in the area identified for enhancement, alternative materials to replace natural stone such as granite and removal of the proposal to create new facades in the colonnade area of Angel Crescent. 

d.        The case for exempt information in Appendix B and Appendix D of the report to be treated in confidence, as the case for the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing that information.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report

The Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, Cllr Ros Wyke, introduced the report, highlighting: that the project budget is delivered via Government Towns Fund grant; the procurement process, financial and delivery options for the Celebration Mile in Bridgwater; the public realm improvement scheme and the enhancement and delivery of streetscape improvements from the railway station through to the docks.

The Regeneration Project Manager, Stuart Martin, presented the report, highlighting: the identified preferred main contractor to deliver the works with formal appointment being subject to the successful outcome of further officer and contractor discussions to value engineer and de-scope elements of work to bring an agreed contract price to within project budget levels; the procurement process and contingencies; the enhancement of Bridgwater town centre through accessibility to pedestrians and cyclists, creating a better trading environment for the businesses and match the expectations of the major investors already in the area; and the extensive consultation undertaken.

The Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Governance and Communications, Cllr Bill Revans, invited comments from other Members present, questions and points raised included: the change in town deal project undertaking and government funding requirements; the importance of Tell Local Councillor and the sharing of information and involvement of local members; and the planned all member regeneration briefing and communication learnings through previous projects.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Executive unanimously agreed to delete ‘The result of this process to be brought back to Executive for ratification’ from recommendation b, and amend to:

b. That a delegation be provided to the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets in consultation with the Service Director Economy, Employment and Planning to confirm contractor appointment following the discussions and which must result in the assurance that the project will not require additional top-up funds from Somerset Council.

Following consideration of the officer report, appendices and discussion, the Executive agreed:

a. That Taylor Woodrow SWH Contracting be identified as the preferred main contractor to deliver the works with formal appointment being subject to the successful outcome of further officer and contractor discussions to value engineer and de-scope elements of work to bring an agreed contract price to within project budget levels.

b. That a delegation be provided to the Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets in consultation with the Service Director Economy, Employment and Planning to confirm contractor appointment following the discussions and which must result in assurance that the project will not require additional top up funds from Somerset Council.

c. The work to de-scope and value engineer the project will include the following; a reduction in the area identified for enhancement, alternative materials to replace natural stone such as granite and removal of the proposal to create new facades in the colonnade area of Angel Crescent. 

d. The case for exempt information in Appendix B and Appendix D of the report to be treated in confidence, as the case for the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing that information.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED: As set out in the officer report

REASON FOR DECISION: As set out in the officer report