Decision

The Portfolio Holder for Environment authorised the delegation of the award of the contract to the Director of Environment and Public Protection, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Assistant Director for Governance & Contracts, the Director for Finance and the Director of Corporate Services & Governance, following the conclusion of the compliant procurement process.

Reasons for the decision

On 1 May 2026, the Portfolio Holder for Environment agreed to proceed to procurement for a works contractor for the Keston Ponds Restoration Project, for an estimated contract value of up to £2.5 million (Report No. ES20562).

The decision followed confirmation that the Council had secured £363,123 external grant funding through the Green Roots Fund, to support delivery of an initial, defined package of works for the first delivery phase of the Keston Ponds Project.

Due to programme requirements that formed part of the grant conditions and their relative proximity to the date of the grant offer, this key decision could not be added to the Forward Plan. The Keston Ponds Report will be presented to the Executive to ensure that the decision is recorded appropriately.

The report also requested Executive approval to add the £363,123 grant to the Capital Programme and sought approval from the Portfolio Holder for Environment to delegate authority to award the works contract, contingent upon the tender remaining within the £2.5m approved cap.