Decision

RESOLVED
that The council enters into a contract for three
years with Montagu Evans for the provision of regeneration and
commercial property advisory services, procured through the Crown
Commercial Service framework RM6168, attached as Appendices A, B
and C.

Reasons for the decision

The council has an ongoing programme of regeneration
activity that requires continuity and consistency of technical and
market-related property expertise, rather than relying on ad-hoc
appointments.
 
The proposed contract has been priced through negotiation,
with reference to comparative pricing structures across other
framework contracts and rates and is considered to provide the
council with value for money.
 
The proposed supplier has a proven track record of
performance that combines in depth market knowledge with technical
expertise across regeneration advice, property acquisitions,
lettings, financial viability assessments, planning and other
related services.

Alternative options considered

The council has neither the capacity nor expertise to
undertake in-house the services to be provided under the contract,
so that is not an option.
 
The council could have publicly tendered the contract,
although it is very unlikely an alternative supplier would have
been found with the necessary combination of local market
knowledge, technical expertise and depth of resourcing. In the
absence of a public tender, officers are satisfied that the
approach to pricing has ensured the council will receive value for
money.