The appendices to this report may not be suitable to view for people with disabilities, users of assistive technology or mobile phone devices. Please contact davidmarsh@wirral.gov.uk if you would like these documents in an accessible format.

The Head of Regeneration Delivery presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report sought members’ endorsement of the commencement of a procurement exercise via the Procure Partnerships Framework and the Pagabo Framework (or other suitable framework) to allow for the direct appointment of two separate main Tier 1 contractors that would lead to two direct awards, one to develop the design and undertake the construction works in relation to the highways, public realm and active travel schemes across the Birkenhead Waterfront Programme and the second award to immediately in early 2024 commence the construction works in Birkenhead Town Centre in relation to the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard Movement Project and Grange Road/Charing Cross/Grange Road West Movement Project.

The report noted that the Birkenhead Waterfront and Central Birkenhead (Town Centre) Programmes have been awarded significant funding from the Levelling Up Fund, Future High Streets Fund, Active Travel Tranche 3 and Town Deal. All the Programmes were time limited. These time related pressures were exacerbated by the current high levels of inflation in construction costs and the availability of suitable contractors in a very competitive marketplace due to similar funding awards in many other authorities. Choice of the recommended procurement route and the use of suitably qualified and experienced main contractors would bring significant benefits and efficiencies to the process, would greatly aid project certainty, ensuring that funding deadlines were met, and the Programmes were delivered as efficiently as possible.

Members discussed their concerns that it had taken so long to get to this point but were happy to see progress. They noted that it was important that with two different contractors working on these projects that the street scene was kept consistent with the same quality work undertaken across all areas of work.

Resolved -

1.  That the commencement of a procurement exercise(s) via the Procure Partnerships Framework and the Pagabo Framework (or other suitable alternative procurement framework) be approved to allow for the direct appointment of two separate main Tier 1 contractors that will lead to two direct awards of construction contracts to develop the design and to undertake the construction works in relation to the highways, public realm and active travel schemes across the Birkenhead Waterfront Programme and to undertake construction works in Birkenhead Town Centre in relation to the Conway Street/Europa Boulevard and Grange Road/Charing Cross/Grange Road West Movement Projects.

2.  That the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to make direct appointments in relation to the above procurement exercises including in due course via the Pagabo framework for the Birkenhead Waterfront Programme, (where the design needs to be developed through an initial pre-construction services agreement with the contractor prior to the main construction contract) for the contracts referred to in recommendation (1) upon receipt of suitable bids from the relevant contractors; and

3.  That the above recommendations be deemed urgent and therefore not subject to the procedure for re consideration.