Purpose

Any quote that exceeds £10,000 inclusive of the VINCI fees requires approval.

Decision

The lift at Spalding Library was reported as not working and is in need of repair. This is having an impact on the library service and members of the public as there is no working lift within the building, this being the only lift.
The lift sustained a major gear unit failure and therefore needs replacing, along with the control panel.
The cost of the repair is £57,379 and it is recommended that this is approved to limit further disruption to the library and its visitors, but also to meet the Equality Act 2010 legislation.
Only one quote has been obtained for the works, and this is from the preferred contractor who maintains the lifts across the Estate (The Contract only has one Contractor that provides lift maintenance, this is to secure preferential rates through a guaranteed schedule of works). Other options have been considered and are possible but would require LCC to go direct to a Contractor or go to another Contractor within the FM contract, who would subcontract the work and would likely see increased costs due to fee on fee and a delay on completion of the necessary repair. Lift repairs are very specialist and the price quoted is in line with the pre-agreed schedule of rates as per our FM Contract. Completion of the works by the VINCI Contractor is preferred to ensure there is no confusion on defect liability and onward maintenance responsibilities.

The repair will be funded from the Capital Repair and Maintenance budget.
The quote has been reviewed by VINCI and LCC and it is recommended that this decision notice is approved.

Alternative options considered

3 alternative options were considered.

1. To reject the quote and not complete the works. However by doing so, this could result in the building having reduced functionality and LCC could be at risk of a discrimination legal claim.

2. To reject the quotes and seek prices direct from contractors. This would be time consuming and would require LCC to manage the works rather than VINCI. This could also expose LCC to greater risk and higher resource management and potential concerns over Health and Safety compliance governance structures.

3. Reject the quote and tender the works via the Kier Property Contract. However this would cause delay and could see increased costs as a result of higher management fees, and would see LCC at a risk from legal challenge for a prolonged period of time.