In June 2022, Council approved revised Key
Decision Financial Thresholds in the Constitution. Prior to the
updated decision thresholds, delegated authority was sought from
Cabinet to allow for the timely procurement of SMBC Towns Fund
projects to ensure the successful delivery of the Towns Fund
Programme within timescale and budget.
At its meeting of 18 May 2022, SMBC Cabinet authorised: -
The Director of Regeneration and Growth, in consultation with the
S151 Officer, Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer
and the Cabinet Member for Regeneration & Growth to commence,
where required, procurement exercises and award contracts and call
off orders above £xxx for all SMBC Towns Fund Projects until
March 2026.
That the Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer be
authorised to enter and execute, under seal as might be required,
any contracts or ancillary documentation in relation to the award
of contracts referred to in Resolution (1) above;
That any necessary exemption be made to the Council’s
Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules to enable the course of
action referred to in Resolution (1) and (2) above to
proceed.
Delegated authority agreed by Cabinet in May 2022 remains effective
following the revised Procurement thresholds.
Decision type: Non-key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 30/03/2023
Decision due: 22 Mar 2023 by Director Regeneration and Growth
Contact: Rina Rahim, Towns Fund Programme Manager Email: rina_rahim@sandwell.gov.uk.
Implications: Resources: The existing pre-construction contract value for the Town Hall Quarter is a sum of £xxx and this report requests it is increased by £xxx to £xxx. To ensure successful delivery of this project, SMBC staff resource is in place to project manage the delivery and contractors. Legal and Governance: The contract will be awarded in accordance with the council’s Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules and the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. Risk: If the contract is not awarded in sufficient timescales, there is a risk that construction costs will increase therefore further funding would need to be identified to deliver the full scope of the project. In addition, if the contract is not awarded in sufficient timescales, there is a risk the appointed contractor will withdraw from the procurement exercise. Equality: An Equality Impact Assessment for each project was undertaken during the development of the Full Business Cases in 2021. The assessment has indicated that