Purpose

To request approval to award the contract for Multi-Disciplinary Technical Consultancy Services for the Post-16 Horticultural Centre proposed at the Welsh Harp site.

Decision

That the Director of Property & Assets:

i)               Approves appointment of McBains Limited to deliver the multi-disciplinary Technical Consultancy Services for the Post-16 Horticultural Centre proposed at the Welsh Harp site.

Reasons for the decision

In 2019 as part of the School Place Planning Strategy 2019-23, Cabinet committed to supporting a Post-16 Skills Resource Centre in recognition of the lack of in-borough provision for young people with complex learning difficulties. Developing a centre for young people aged 16-25 is reflective of related key national documents such as the SEND Code of Practice (2015), National Autism Strategy (2021), the National Disability Strategy (2021) and NHS Long Term Plan. The SEND highlights a need to focus on improving outcomes for older children and young people for the preparation of later life and adulthood indicators.

The Post-16 Skills Resource Centre is outlined in the School Place Planning Strategy 2019-23 refresh, approved by Cabinet in November 2021, and is included within the local partnership SEND Strategy 2021-25. A Post-16 Skills Resource Centre will support the Brent partnership to meet the preparation for adulthood duties as laid out in the SEND Code of Practice 2015, the SEND Review 2022 and as detailed in the Brent SEND Strategy 2021-2025. The Centre would support an improvement in outcomes for young people and young adults in Brent, in terms of education, employment or training, healthy lifestyles, community participation and independent living.

The Council has identified two sites for delivering the Post-16 Skills Resource Centre. The first site is Welsh Harp and the Centre will be developed to provide a horticultural facility with work experience and volunteering opportunities. The second site is located at Airco Close site in Kingsbury, this is subject to a separate approval report in due course.

The Council intends to provide a Post-16 Horticultural Centre at Welsh Harp as well as replace the existing Environmental Education Centre building which has reached the end of its expected life. The Council requires the services of a multidisciplinary consultancy organisation to provide:

a) design services,

b) project management,

c) cost consultancy

d) Principal Designer

Alternative options considered

Officers have considered whether the multidisciplinary technical consultancy services can be provided by the council itself but have concluded that it is best provided by a consultancy organisation.

Officers have reviewed a range of procurement options including conducting a tender process but have concluded that the use of the Framework is the most appropriate means of procuring a consultancy organisation given the reduction in timescales, costs and resources involved.