Purpose

This report sets
out the contract award recommendations for the delivery of the
engagement and communications support for the public consultation
in the Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood (HLN) Project.
 
The HLN aims to
transform the streets and public realm of Holborn to create a truly
liveable neighbourhood – one which supports healthier
lifestyles, more active and sustainable travel, thriving
communities, sustainable growth, and a safer, greener, cleaner and
more inclusive environment for all.
 
Extensive
community engagement has taken place since the project started in
February 2024, followed by further targeted engagement in Spring
2025 to capture the voices of underheard groups and continual
community engagement promoting the opportunities for people to
comment on the early ideas.
 
A full public
consultation is planned for September 2026 to present the proposed
designs and the potential traffic impact implications. Extensive
communications and engagement work will be required to ensure the
delivery of a representative and well responded to,
consultation.
 
This contract
has a value of £126,500, including a budget of £20,000
which is available for engagement related costs, such as materials.
In addition, an optional extension for provision of post
consultation data review, to be taken up at our discretion, was
offered to those bidding. The maximum budget available for this is
£5,000. This option is being taken up by the proposed
successful bidder.
 
The request for
tender (RfQ) was undertaken in December 2025 –
January/February 2026, inviting three bidders to formally respond
to the brief and submit a quote to secure best value and highest
quality in service delivery.
 
The request for
quotation included a price/quality split of 30/70. Following a
review and moderation process, Urban Symbiotics Limited were
determined as the preferred bidder with the highest total score.
Their support for communications and engagement of the autumn
consultation is to start as soon as possible with a target date of
the week starting the 23rd February 2026.
 
This report is
being presented to the Director of Environment and Sustainability
in line with Contract Standing Orders.

Content

THAT the
Director of Environment and Sustainability approve the award of
contract to Urban Symbiotics Limited for the provision of public
consultation stakeholder engagement support for the Holborn
Liveable Neighbourhood project to a value of £126,500
including the optional add on of an estimated £5,000
commencing February 2026 and running to an expected November
2026.