Purpose

To request approval to vary the Design and Build Contract with Hill Partnerships Ltd to deliver the Watling Gardens project, and to confirm the final account for the contract.

Decision

The Director of Inclusive Regeneration and Climate Action:

i)               Approves the variation of the Design and Build Contract with Hill Partnerships Ltd for the delivery of the Watling Gardens project by £321,842.68 to undertake necessary variations including repairs to the estates boundary wall to minimise health and safety risk, changes to flooring materials in Block C, requirement for fully automated doors in Block C, wet room adaptations, block B external works, additional white goods, changes to laundry room and additional security requirements.

ii)              Approves the final account of the Design and Build Contract with Hill Partnerships Ltd for the delivery of the Watling Gardens project.

Reasons for the decision

The Council entered into a Design and Build Contract with Hill Partnerships Ltd for the delivery of the Watling Gardens project on 8 November 2022. The project achieved practical completion on 6 February 2026. In achieving this milestone, there have been a number of variations to the contract.

To this end, officers are seeking approval to vary the contract to meet these additional changes and consequently agree the final contract account.

Alternative options considered

The proposal is to agree the additional changes to the existing contract with Hill Partnerships Ltd. An alternative option would be for the Council to not proceed with the additional requirements and seek alternative contractors. This has been discounted due to the time it would take to procure new contractors and the efficiencies of utilising the incumbent provider.