Issue - meetings

The Interim Deputy Chief Executive presented the Appointment of Design Team and Project Managers - Towns Fund Schemes report for Members’ consideration.

It was reported that a tender exercise had been undertaken to appoint a Design Team and Project Managers for the Towns Fund Schemes in 2023. The tenders in respect of the multi discipline design for the Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (DMIC) had been evaluated on a ratio of 70% Quality and 30% Price. Of the quality evaluation the weightings were evaluated as follows:

·       30% was weighted to the Design Team Selection and Relevant Experience.

·       22% was weighted to Building Services, Pre- Construction Management, and Cost Management.

·       18% was weighted to Stakeholder Management, Environmental Sustainability, and Social Value.

A similar process was for the appointment of Project Managers for the projects.

Following the presentation of the report some Members queried the exact function of the DMIC and whether this was simply office space. It was stated that this would be a mix of office, manufacturing and design space for businesses (both start up and established) and centres of learning could also utilise it to upskill local residents in order for them to enter jobs in the future. It was also explained that there was a need for this kind of centre in the Borough as Redditch had a strong history of manufacturing skills but no such site at present which enabled an increase of these skills.

Some Members raised concerns regarding the funding of these projects and whether there was sufficient funding available to progress them. It was noted that funding streams were being looked at and that further details would be available in due course.

Members were reminded that the Council was the responsible body for these projects and that sign off by the Interim Section 151 Officer would be sought at every step of the process. It was also noted that this report sought only to agree the appointment of the design team and project managers and was not a report that was requesting additional funding for the projects.

RESOLVED that

1)    That AHR be approved as the Design contractor for the DMIC following a tender process.

2)    That Gardiner and Theoboald be approved as Project Managers for the Digital Manufacturing Innovation Centre and the New Town Square projects following a tender process.

(During the consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).