Issue - meetings

To seek approval to enter into a contract with Millward Partnership for the provision structural surveys and associated works to Council owned dwellings for South Kesteven District Council.

Purpose of report

To seek approval to enter into a contract with Millward Partnership for the provision of structural surveys and associated works to Council owned dwellings for South Kesteven District Council.

Decision

That Cabinet approves the award of a contract to Millward Partnership for the provision of carrying out structural surveys and associated works at South Kesteven District Council owned dwellings with an annual value of £50k for a period of 3 years with the option to extend annually for up to 2 years.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Consideration had been given to the option of carrying out the works “in-house”, but due to the specialist nature of the work this was not a viable option.

Not carrying out the work was also not practicable as this would have led to further building defects, increased repair costs and a housing stock with a low market value.

Reasons for the decision

Structural surveys enabled building defects to be investigated, and remedial work identified. The associated works included the provision of structural calculations along with specifications/drawings when required. All surveying and associated works that would be undertaken on the Council’s housing stock would be done to meet the industry standards and requirements that were set out by the relevant governing bodies. This ensured that residents had a safe home.

Typically, around 45 structural surveys and 12 associated projects were carried out each year. The annual cost for this service was anticipated at £50,000 per annum. The survey works would be funded from the structural survey revenue budget and the associated works would be met from the Technical Services Structural Refurbishment capital budget. The procurement opportunity was tendered as a mini competition using a framework run by Efficiency East Midlands (EEM). Following publication of the opportunity eight Expressions of Interest were received which resulted in four Tender Submissions.

After the tender exercise and evaluation, Millward Partnership gave the best tender submission through the combination of price and quality to carry out structural surveys and associated works on the Council’s housing stock. This ensured the Council had a contract in place which was compliant with procurement requirements. Dedicated staff trained in contract management would follow the performance clauses in the contract closely.