The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services reported that a series of consultancy studies had been commissioned as part of the process of assembling an evidence base for Wirral’s Local Development Framework.

He presented a report advising of an extension to the contract for the Retail, Town Centres and Commercial Leisure study currently being prepared by Roger Tym & Partners to carry out additional survey work to assess the impact of the Liverpool One development on the Borough.  Roger Tym and Partners had submitted a fee proposal of an additional £10,885 exclusive of VAT to undertake this work, plus survey fees of £11,590 plus VAT (total of £22,475 plus VAT).  The Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (5.1.2) required Cabinet approval for the extension of an existing contract.  However, in view of the need to commission this additional work as soon as possible, advice was taken from the Council’s Procurement Section and the proposed extension of the contract was authorised by the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services under delegated powers, in consultation with the Leader of the Council on the understanding the matter be reported to Cabinet. 

Resolved – That the action of the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services under delegated powers to agree the extension of the contract with Roger Tym & Partners to undertake an additional household survey and associated analysis for a fee of £22,475 be noted.