Purpose

To request authority for a direct award of contract for Community Review Services.

Decision

That the Director of Regeneration, Growth and Employment:

i)             Notes the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth has granted an exemption from the requirement to tender for a contract for Community Review Services.

ii)            Notes the Contract Standing Order 89 Considerations.

iii)           Approves the direct award of contract for Community Review Services to Frame Projects for 24 months in the estimated maximum value of £233,280 (inc VAT).

Reasons for the decision

The Council requires the provision of Community Review Services. Council officers have sought and obtained from the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning & Growth an exemption from the requirement to tender a contract for Community Review Services. The Council appointed Frame Projects to provide design review services in 2022, and they now manage the Brent Quality Review Panel (QRP). Part of the justification to direct the award of contract to Frame Projects over other alternative providers was based on the fact they had pioneered the concept of community review, establishing what is thought to be the first Community Review Panel (CRP) in the UK in 2018. Frame Projects currently manages six CRPs across London and the Southeast, and officers have been highly satisfied with the quality of service from Frame Projects in managing Brent QRP. For this reason, officers consider it reasonable to appoint Frame Projects as the provider of Community Review Services.

Alternative options considered

Officers considered whether the Community Review Services could be provided by the Council itself but concluded that Community Review Services are best provided by a contractor. Officers reviewed a range of procurement options but consider that a direct award is the most appropriate means of procuring a contractor.