Agenda item

Report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection)

The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection) seeking approval to appoint Balfour Beatty under the Scape Framework to provide Early Contract Involvement in the development of the works information for the first Phase of the Maritime Corridor scheme, with a view to a further appointment to deliver the works. The Maritime Corridor scheme sought to deliver measures in the south of the Borough to improve access for all highway users to employment sites. The Scape Framework allowed a contractor to be appointed during the scheme design and development; to provide a Feasibility report at no costs, followed by an Early Contractor Involvement stage during which a Target Cost was established and other pre-construction activities undertaken leading to a Contract to deliver the works.

The following appendix was attached to the report:

• Appendix A - General Arrangement Plans.

Decisions Made:

That

(1)      the appointment of Balfour Beatty under the Scape Framework to offer Feasibility input into the development of the first Phase of the Maritime Corridor Scheme, at no cost to the Council, be approved;

(2)      the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection), following consultation with the Cabinet Member – Locality Services, be authorised to award the Contract for Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) in the construction of Maritime Corridor Phase 1 works to Balfour Beatty, subject to the Feasibility Input, as set out in (1) above, and receipt of a Grant Funding Agreement or similar confirmation of funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority;

(3)      the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Member – Locality Services, be authorsied to sign the grant funding agreement for the necessary Development Funding to enable the ECI stage of the Maritime Corridor Phase 1 project to be undertaken;

(4)      the Assistant Director of Place (Highways and Public Protection), following consultation with the Cabinet Member – Locality Services, be authorised to award the Contract for the construction of Maritime Corridor Phase 1 works to Balfour Beatty, subject to the Feasibility Input and EIC, as set out in (1) and (2) above, and receipt of a Grant Funding Agreement;

(5)      the Chief Legal and Democratic Officer, following consultation with the Cabinet Member – Locality Services, be authorised to sign the grant funding agreement for the necessary Funding to enable the Construction stage of the Maritime Corridor Phase 1 project to be undertaken; and

(6)      a supplementary capital estimate of £500,000 for Development Funding secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority into the Transport Capital Programme for 2023-24, be approved.

Reasons for the Decisions:

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) had received funding from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) to deliver a number of linked transport projects throughout the City Region including elements of the Maritime Corridor Phase 1. This funding was conditional on all the funds being expended by March 2025. Early Contractor Involvement had the advantage of ensuring that the works were well programmed, buildability of the scheme was considered at an early stage and that the period between completing the design (and agreeing a contract cost) and the works commencing would be reduced. This should ensure that greater cost certainty was achieved, construction risks were reduced and the works were more likely to be delivered within the funding window.

The use of the Scape Framework had been welcomed by the LCRCA as they recognised the benefits, particularly in offering greater certainty of delivering the scheme in the timeframe.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The works could be delivered using a tendering process. This would introduce some further competition into the procurement process. However, the project planning would not have the benefit of contractor input until following the award of the contract for the works, thus increasing the risk of delay and claims. There was also the risk that contractors might choose not to tender due to current workloads. The tender appraisal process would also shorten the time available for construction and therefore increase the risk of the funds not being expended by the deadline. The SCAPE Framework was developed following a fully compliant OJEU Procurement process.