Decision Maker: Executive

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: September 2, 2025

Purpose: To provide an update to Executive on the progress of the Bicester Market Square project; including the preferred concept design which is the result from the community engagement over the last 9 months, the new estimated project programme and estimated cost of delivery. To seek approval of the suggested concept design and move to the next stage of the project which includes detailed design development, submitting a planning application & the report will also provide a recommendation for a suggested procurement strategy for a contractor to deliver the project.

Content: Resolved   (1)            That the progress of the project to date, including the public engagement process and how the proposed concept design was developed, be noted.   (2)            That the concept design presented for development to the next stage be approved.   (3)            That it be approved that the £881,000 from Oxfordshire County Council town centre s106 funds be added to the currently approved £4.25m capital programme budget for this project to give a maximum total project budget of £5,131,000 to complete this project in full.   (4)            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Communities, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration and the Assistant Director of Finance, to agree the tranches of budget for each stage of the project as required, into the capital programme to enable completion of this project.   (5)            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Communities, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration and Assistant Director of Law and Governance, to approve the appointment of the preferred Consultant & Contractor and to work with the Councils project team to deliver this project following the required Council procurement processes.   (6)            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Communities, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration in conjunction with the and the Assistant Director of Law and Governance the decision on the specific contract options & construction route to deliver the project in full (which is currently proposed as a two-stage contract process) (NEC 4E x22) following the Councils required procurement processes.   (7)            That the current draft programme of works and estimated timescales of each stage of work, as provided by WSP, as part of their Stage 1 feasibility work be noted.   (8)            That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director Communities, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration to confirm approval to submit the planning application of the detailed design.