Decision Maker: Cabinet Procurement and Insourcing Committee

Outcome: For Determination

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: December 1, 2025

Purpose: Parks Play Areas Refurbishments Phase 3, which affects more than 2 wards and contract value above £2.5M

Content: RESOLVED: 1.  To approve the award of a JCT Design & Build contract for Phase 3 of the Play Area Refurbishment Programme to the most economically advantageous tenderer at a total fixed contract value of £2,332,375 following a mini-competition under the Procure Public Dynamic Purchasing System (Supporting Construction Works - Landscaping Work Category). 2.  To delegate authority to the Director Environment & Climate Change in consultation with the Director of Legal to agree and enter into the final form of contract as well as any ancillary contract documents.   Reasons For Decision    This report seeks approval to award a JCT Design and Build contract for the refurbishment of three park play areas at Clissold Park, London Fields (North), and Millfields Park. The decision enables delivery of Phase 3 of Hackney’s Play Area Refurbishment Programme, which is part of the Council’s long-term strategy to improve the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of its parks and play spaces. These works support the Hackney Strategic Plan and the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy 2021–2031, which commit to creating welcoming, sustainable spaces that promote health, wellbeing, and environmental resilience.   Hackney’s parks play areas are critical community assets that promote active lifestyles and child development. Many of these facilities are now beyond their designed life, offering limited play value and requiring extensive ongoing repairs. Without intervention, there would be a continuing increase in repair costs and reputational risks to the Council due to the declining quality of play provision.   A phased investment approach has been adopted since 2020, with 13 play areas refurbished and two new ones constructed in Phases 1 and 2. Lessons learned from earlier phases have directly informed Phase 3, including the need for specialist design input, robust cost control, and early engagement with residents and user groups. These previous phases were delivered on time, within budget, and to high community satisfaction levels.   The Procure Public DPS was used to ensure a compliant, competitive process under the Public Contract Regulations 2015. Although only one compliant bid was received, the procurement was openly advertised to all suppliers under the relevant CPV categories. The single tender was rigorously assessed against the published criteria (Quality 60%, Price 40%) and has been benchmarked against costs from Phases 1 and 2. The assessment confirmed that the proposed pricing is consistent with market conditions and represents good value for money.   The project will deliver modern, inclusive play environments that meet Hackney’s Play Principles and encourage imaginative and active play through both equipment and natural landscaping. All designs will be subject to community engagement and independent RPii inspection to ensure compliance with safety and inclusivity standards.   The contract will be delivered on a fixed-price basis, providing cost certainty and controlling inflationary risk. Funding is fully secured within the Council’s approved capital programme, and the procurement has been assessed as Low Risk under the Council’s Procurement Risk Assessment Tool (RAT).   The supplier has previously delivered the park play area refurbishments under Phase 1 and 2 of this programme to a high standard. Their proven experience with Hackney’s parks, understanding of local community needs, and familiarity with the Council’s design standards and governance processes provide strong assurance of successful delivery for Phase 3.   The works will also deliver substantial social value and sustainability benefits, directly supporting the Council’s Sustainable Procurement and Insourcing Strategy and Climate Action Plan. The contractor has committed to using at least 60% local labour, payment of the London Living Wage, and delivery of apprenticeships and work placements through Hackney Works and local colleges. A structured programme of nine community engagement events will include public consultation sessions, school play design workshops, volunteer planting days, and the Picker Pals environmental education initiative, fostering long-term community involvement and stewardship.   Environmentally, the contractor will achieve over 90% recycling and reuse of materials, use FSC/PEFC-certified timber and low-carbon concrete, and enhance biodiversity across all three parks through native planting, wildflower seeding, and habitat creation. These commitments will ensure the project contributes to Hackney’s wider ambitions for a greener, fairer, and more inclusive borough.   The award of this contract ensures continued investment in high-quality, sustainable play provision, contributing to Hackney’s wider objectives for healthy, active, and child-friendly communities.   Alternative Options Considered and Rejected   The following procurement and delivery options were considered and rejected during the development of the Business Case and are summarised below for completeness.   Option Reasons for rejection   Do nothing This option would result in continued deterioration of the existing play areas, increasing revenue costs for maintenance and repairs and negatively affecting the play value and safety of facilities. It would also risk reputational damage to the Council and fail to meet community expectations or strategic objectives under the Parks and Green Spaces Strategy. Two stage open procurement This route would require additional time and cost for separate design and construction phases, contrary to the Council’s efficiency and value-for-money principles. A Design & Build contract procured via an established framework/DPS route provides a faster, compliant, and proven pathway. Insourcing Not viable. The Council does not have the in-house capability or resources to deliver large-scale landscape and play refurbishment works or provide specialist landscape architectural design services.