Content

To enter into a contract with Dean Martin
Contractors Ltd for the purposes of:
 

•     
Desilting Hatherley Lake,

•     
Transporting the silt to an amenity grassland area for reuse,
and

•     
Constructing planted revetments
 
The contract value is £39,535 and is
subject to receiving planning approval by
Planning Committee on 19th February 2026.
 
The works are required to:
 

•     
Restore water depth and storage capacity

•     
Improve water quality

•     
Support fish and aquatic habitats

•     
Reduce flood risk

•     
Prevent odour, stagnation and decline in amenity value

•     
Ensure the long-term sustainability of the lake.

Reasons for the decision

To enable the Council to desilt Hatherley lake, improve water quality and the
biodiversity of the lake it is necessary to enter into a contract
with a third party to deliver the works and provide project
management services.
A request-for-quotation exercise was issued
through the eprocurement portal for
contracts between £30,000 and £60,000. 4 quotations
were received, several exceeded the procurement bracket. Following
assessment of quotations received, Dean Martin Contractors Ltd
provided best value.
 
Publica
Procurement advised that normally a further competitive tender
would be best practice. However, the project is time?sensitive, and delays from re?tendering would negatively impact ecology, lake recovery
and environmental conditions:
 

•     
Winter is the optimal period for desilting to minimise disruption
to wildlife and park users.

•     
If works continue into early spring, mitigation measures will be
implemented.

•     
An independent ecologist is in place to provide guidance.
 
In this case the works are urgently required
and cannot be delayed further by readvertising.
 
Given the urgency and the transparency of the
quotation process, a waiver is required.
 
Background
information
£50,000 capital (CAP113) has been
secured for this project and £5,000 through a contribution
from the Friends of Hatherley.
 
An Ecological Impact assessment and Flood Risk
assessment have been completed and are publicly available as part
of a planning application 25/01931/FUL. The contract is subject to
decision making at
Planning Committee on the 19th February 2026.

Alternative options considered

To undertake a competitive procurement
exercise. This has been discounted due to the urgent need for works
and the narrow seasonal window.
 
I have actioned officers to work with the
procurement team on a lesson learned review outside of this
process.