Purpose

Proposal to redevelop the current site to
provide new staff and volunteer accommodation, adding a seagrass
laboratory (using OFC funding) and making improvements to the
visitor centre.

Decision

The Assistant Director of Property &
Development Projects submitted a report to seek approval for the
proposed re-development of the buildings at Wyre Estuary Country
Park (WECP) to provide new staff and volunteer accommodation
alongside a new exhibition space and facilities for a seagrass
propagation laboratory at a cost of £434,000 to be funded
from the Investment Projects Reserve. Also, to seek approval for
the provision of a solar array at an extra estimated cost of
£20,000 and updated ICT infrastructure estimated at
£10,000 both to be funded from the Investment Projects
Reserve.
 
Decisions
 
The Resources Portfolio Holder
agreed:
 

·      
That approval is given to allocate an estimated £434,000
(which includes a 10% contingency) for the capital works and
associated professional fees for the redevelopment of WECP.
 

·      
That approval is given to allocate a further estimated
£20,000 for the provision of a solar array to the new
development and a further £10,000 for the new ICT
infrastructure.
 

·      
That approval is given to appoint Blackpool Council Property
Services to both undertake project management consultancy services
and to procure a contractor for the proposed works outlined in this
report (at a project management fee cost of £41,051 which is
included in the £434,000) under the exemptions to Contract
Procedures contained within the Financial Regulations and Financial
Procedure Rules; firstly on the grounds that: ‘Exceptions may
apply regarding the appointment of consultants, including
architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, solicitors, barristers
and other people providing professional services’ and
secondly that: ‘Another public authority in the last twelve
months has procured the same or predominately similar goods, works
or services from the same supplier having undertaken a procurement
procedure that complies with both that authority’s procedure
rules for contracts of that kind and the Councils’.