Decision details

To outline to Cabinet the progress made in regard to the pre-construction development work undertaken on The Seam Digital Campus development and to seek approval for the next stage of design development to RIBA stage 3. It will also seek approval to run a procurement to appoint a construction contractor for The Seam.

RESOLVED That Cabinet:-

1.    Notes the progress of design development for the Public Realm, Multi Storey Car Park, (MSCP), Active Travel Hub and site infrastructure to RIBA stage 2 and associated cost plan;

2.    Approves the continued appointment of the existing Project Management Design Team and Development Manager Including associated fees to enable further design development to RIBA 3 stage submission of planning application, development of procurement documentation for the PCSA and subsequent build contract, including support through to RIBA 4 gateway;

3.    Approves the procurement strategy to appoint a main works contractor under a Pre-Construction Services Agreement, to manage and further develop the design to RIBA 4 for the site infrastructure, Public Realm, MSCP and Active Travel Hub;

4.    Notes the market engagement progress on plots 1 and 2 withplans to bring forward residential development on phase One and approve the delivery of procurement exercise to identify a preferred housing developer. The final appointment of a residential developer will be subject to a further cabinet report;

5.    Approves the release of a further £1.672 in ‘at risk’ funding from the overall programme budget to support i) ongoing programme management costs and ii) scheme development up RIBA Stage 4;

6.    Approves the assignment of £4.68m, to be identified from a review of the existing capital programme, in order to bridge the current budget ‘gap’ required to enable the delivery of Phase 1 of the Seam;

7.    Receives a further report containing detailed cost plan information following completion of RIBA Stage 4 activities;

8.    Notes that a further report will be presented following the completion of the procurement exercises set out at 3 and 4 above, to inform cabinet of the final costs based on detailed RIBA 4 design and to seek approval for the appointment of the construction contractor to undertake the construction phase;

9.    Approves that Executive Director of Core Services be authorised to instruct external solicitors to develop a Pre-Construction Services Agreement, Building Contract for Phase One and a Development Agreement for residential development on plots 1 and 2;

10.Approves that the Executive Director of Place and Service Director Finance, in consultation with the Cabinet Spokesperson for Place and the Cabinet Spokesperson for Finance, be authorised to finalise the necessary scheme design at RIBA Stage 3 to allow for the development and launch of the procurement process.