Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Growth on the award of a contract for the fit out works for the university centre in Grantham and delegate authority for making in-project decisions.

Decision

1.            To enter into a contract with Lindum Construction Services Ltd to deliver the capital fit out works for the University Centre, Grantham to a total value not exceeding £680,000

2.            To delegate in-project decisions to the Interim Chief Executive and Strategic Director, Growth, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member

Reasons for decision

1.            The report of the Cabinet Member for Growth on the delivery of the University Centre SK project

2.            A £2m grant from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (GLLEP) to construct a new University Technology and Innovation Centre

3.            The partnership with the University of Lincoln to offer higher education courses, responding to skills development needs in South Kesteven

4.            Management of the capital delivery of the University Centre by InvestSK in partnership with the Council’s Property Team

5.            Liaison with the University of Lincoln and local businesses to development the education and skills programme

6.            The appointment of Lindum Construction Services through the SCAPE framework to undertake the feasibility and pre-construction phases of the design of the University Centre

7.            In order to meet the requirements within the GLLEP contract, capital fit out works must be completed by January 2020

Other options considered and rejected

An alternative procurement process for the capital works could have been adopted for the delivery of this project, however, this would have lengthened the programme and may have had an adverse impact on achieving the GLLEP contractual outputs.

The Cabinet Member for Growth presented her report which related to the continuation of an ongoing project to deliver a university centre in Grantham. She stated that the Council had received a grant of £2m from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership to construct a building on St. Peter’s Hill to serve as a University Centre delivered in partnership with the University of Lincoln. The building had been delivered as part of the development of the Savoy Cinema in Grantham. The Cabinet member stated that the University Centre would act as a key component to drive the local economy.

Members were advised that Lindum Construction had been appointed through a framework to undertake feasibility and pre-construction work; the report was asking members to approve their appointment to progress the capital fit-out of the facility. The Cabinet Member for Growth added that in order to comply with the outputs within the Greater Lincolnshire LEP contract, the fit-out would need to be completed by January 2020.

Members of the Cabinet recognised the advantages that having a University Centre in Grantham could bring, both to the town and the wider area. The target number of learners had been based on liaison work between InvestSK, the University of Lincoln and local businesses, and the strong sign-up for the initial courses, meant that the Cabinet Member for Growth considered the target of 340 learners to be reasonable. It was noted that the final contract sum had yet to be presented but Cabinet members were reassured that Lindum Construction was aware of the Council’s budget for the project.

The recommendations in the report were proposed and seconded, and it was AGREED:

1.            To enter into a contract with Lindum Construction Services Ltd to deliver the capital fit out works for the University Centre, Grantham to a total value not exceeding £680,000

2.            To delegate in-project decisions to the Interim Chief Executive and Strategic Director, Growth, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member