Issue - meetings

This item is due to be pre-scrutinised at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee scheduled to take place on 7^th July 2025.  Any recommendations on this subject arising from that meeting will be reported for the Executive Committee's consideration in a supplementary pack.

The Regeneration Project Delivery Manager presented the Digital Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (DMIC) – Appointment of Contractor for Stage 4 Designs report for the Executive Committee’s consideration.

Members were advised that the project was nearing completion in respect of stage 3 designs and there was a need to move to stage 4 of the process through the appointment of a contractor.  A budget of up to £400,000 had been requested for this stage of the process but Members were informed that it was anticipated that the cost would be lower.

Following the presentation of the report, Members commented that the site of the DMIC had not yet started to be developed although demolition works had been completed.  In this context, the suggestion was made that it would be helpful to issue communications to the public about proposals for the future development of the site and the timescales for this work.  Officers explained that work was in the process of being undertaken in respect of developing draft communications to display on hoardings at the site.  As part of these communications, Members commented that it was important to clarify the purpose of the DMIC and the positive impact that this could have on the local economy in the future.

RESOLVED that

1)          Officers procure a Design and Build Contractor (for Stage 4 Design Work Only for the Innovation Centre) in line with the Council’s procurement process up to the value of £400,000;

2)          authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive (Section 151 Officer) and the Assistant Director for Regeneration and Property to complete the procurement process at resolution 1; and

RECOMMEND that

3)          The contract to be awarded through the procurement exercise detailed at resolution 1 above be funded through the Town Deal Programme.