Decision

To award a contract to Focus Consultancy, following an open tender procurement process. The architectural design services will be required to bring the Council’s sketch layouts through to full design documentation suitable for planning applications, Building Regulations approval, and construction tender.

Reasons for the decision

As a landlord, SHDC is keen to support tenants to live safely and comfortably in their homes. On occasion, this involves adapting properties to make them suitable for tenants as their needs change. Significant adaptations are occasionally undertaken which involves building works such as extensions.
Focus Consultancy will work alongside officers to oversee significant extensions to HRA properties to ensure works are designed competently and with the tenants’ needs in mind.

Alternative options considered

Do not appoint external expertise
This option has not been pursued because officers do not have the expertise or capacity to design a programme building works related to property extensions.