The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Environment which provided an update as to the progress of the Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) project and sought agreement on implementation issues to enable the project to proceed. 

The report outlined the indicative timetable and next steps as follows:-

·  Invitation To Tender (ITT) issued April 2013,

·  Supplier response due to be returned within 10 weeks (at latest w/c 24^th June),

·  Tender Evaluation including a Value for Money Assessment,

·  Partnership Consortium Agreement to be agreed and signed, 

·  Supplier contract agreed July 2013,

·  Award of Contract August 2013

·  Project delivery end of August 2013 to end of 2015, 

·  Engagement with BT and BDUK on timing and funding issues – ongoing.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  Liverpool City Council to undertake the role of lead contracting Authority or Accountable Body for the Merseyside Connected BDUK project be confirmed;

(2)  the management of the BDUK procurement process including supplier appointment, entering into a partnership consortia agreement be approved and future implementation be delegated to the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member;

(3)  with reference to the cost table detailed in paragraph 3.6 of the report Cabinet agrees to underwrite the potential project management costs that are not eligible for ERDF funding from Wirral Neighbourhoods Fund reserves.  Wirral’s maximum share of ineligible costs, using the pro rata method, has been estimated to £17,690; and

(4)  note that future progress reports on this subject be brought to Cabinet as the project progresses.