Decision

RESOLVED that:
 

A   
Hill Partnerships Limited (Hill) be
appointed under the Pretium Framework, Herts, Beds and Bucks
Development Services Lot 4 as main contractor to deliver the
delivery of the Harlow Arts & Cultural Quarter, encompassing
Block ABC mixed-use development (ex-Occasio House site) and Block E (Playhouse
extension) and associated public realm for a sum not exceeding
£41.8 million.
 

B   
Up to £7.2 million be ringfenced
from earmarked reserves to support the financing of the proposed
scheme. Furthermore, notes that the financing of the scheme is
reviewed regularly and any alternative approaches to reduce the
call on earmarked reserves will require a further decision in line
with council governance procedures.

Reasons for the decision

To deliver the
Building Harlow’s Future mission to ‘Rebuild our town
and the outcome to “Build the Arts & Cultural Quarter and
establish Harlow as a cultural capital.”

Alternative options considered

The
council has already undertaken market testing with a view to
bringing forward the scheme, however this exercise concluded with
no contractor being appointed, due to delays during the evaluation
and subsequent expiry of the chosen framework.
 
If
the delay and expiration of the framework had not occurred, a
recommendation to appoint Hill Group under that exercise would have
been sought; this report seeks appointment via a lawful and market
tested framework mitigating risk to programme delivery and the
external funding awarded by Government.
 
The
council progress further procurement processes, but given market
conditions, costs would likely be higher than those currently
proposed and ultimately, the programme would likely not meet the
Government requirements and therefore, the grant funding lost which
would result in the scheme not progressing and the spend to date
being met by the council.