Purpose

1.1            
To seek Cabinet approval to
instruct Inner Circle Consulting (ICC) to undertake the work identified in their
proposal titled “Borehamwood
Regeneration – Culture & Leisure Destination Feasibility
and Business Case” (October 2025, Version 1.0).
To approve the
fee proposal of £99,000 from the Strategic Asset Investment
Catalyst Fund

Content

RESOLVED that the
Cabinet

a)          
Approved the
appointment of the consultant set out in 2.1 of this report to
carry out the deliverables laid down in the proposal in Appendix
A.

b)          
Approved the
budget and funding source as set out in 2.2

c)          
Authorised the
Director of Place Transformation, Head of Asset Management &
Engineering Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for
Asset Management, to finalise contractual terms and issue formal
instructions.

d)          
Agreed that, in
the event that the feasibility study gave rise to a live project,
the Strategic Asset Investment Catalyst Fund would be replenished
for the full cost of the study.

 
Reasons for
decision

1.    
ICC had already successfully
delivered the Council’s Strategic and Outline Business Cases
for Borehamwood Regeneration, ensuring continuity of expertise and
alignment with the emerging masterplan.

2.    
ICC brought a multi-disciplinary
team, including Haworth Tompkins Architects and Otium Real Estate,
with specialist experience in cultural and leisure-led mixed-use
development.

3.    
Commissioning ICC immediately would
allow the Council to progress the feasibility and business case
work in time to inform future investment decisions and funding
bids.

4.    
Commissioning the work immediately
would the outcomes to be incorporated into the Development
Framework being prepared to inform the emerging Local
Plan.
 
Alternative Options
Considered

1.    
Do nothing: This would delay
delivery of the regeneration objectives and prevent the Council
from advancing a key catalyst project.

2.    
Re-procure via open competition:
This would extend the timetable by several months and could incur
additional cost. Given ICC’s prior involvement and unique
understanding of the Borehamwood Regeneration Framework, this is
not recommended.