Purpose

Cabinet approved the extension of the Partnering Consultancy Contracts through report HPS/055 on 24 June 2026. Resolution (b) delegated the negotiation, approval and completion of all relevant documentation to the Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Head of Law & Governance and the Head of Corporate Finance.

The contracts that began in 2023, provide specialist construction-related professional services. During the term of the contracts, demand for these services increased significantly due to the growing scale and complexity of the Council's capital programme, enhanced social housing regulatory requirements, Building Safety Act obligations, and the delivery of decarbonisation and retrofit projects.

Decision

With the contracts due to expire on 31 August 2026, the Head of Major Projects and Commercial Services determined that continued access to specialist consultancy support was essential to maintain project delivery, compliance and operational continuity.

Therefore, following the completion of the necessary governance, legal and procurement processes, Deeds of Variation were executed with all three consultancy partners, formally extending the contracts to 31 March 2030.

The extension provides long-term stability for the delivery of the Council's capital programme and Crawley Homes' investment, compliance and decarbonisation programmes.

This decision was taken in consultation with the Head of Corporate Finance and the Head of Law & Governance.

Alternative options considered

Following consideration of the available options, Option 3 was approved, extending the existing Partnering Consultancy Contracts to 31 March 2030. This option was considered the most cost-effective, efficient and lowest-risk approach, providing continuity of service, retaining specialist expertise and knowledge of Council assets and processes, and avoiding the costs, delays and mobilisation risks associated with a new procurement exercise. The extension comprised: • Project Centre - Structural Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Drainage and Flood Alleviation services. • Oander - Clerk of Works and CDM Principal Designer services. • Keegans - Quantity Surveying services.