Purpose

Under year 3 (2024/25) of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) the Coastal Trail was awarded a capital grant totalling a value of £50,000.
The initial proposal outlined in ‘E17 Development/Promotion of the Visitor Economy’ suggested further diligence work to be carried out to explore the installation of two ramps along the seafront (one in Clacton and one in Holland on Sea) to enhance accessibility. Upon further investigation by the relevant departments, this was deemed unfeasible.
Officers met with colleagues from Economic Growth, Creative and Cultural, Sports and Leisure and Assets to explore further options. Due to the funds needing to be spent on projects that meet the aims of ‘E17 Development/Promotion of the Visitor Economy’, the development of a district-wide Coastal Trail to complement the Clacton150 trail starting from its last trail board in Holland Haven through to Walton-on-the Naze Tower was discussed.
As a result, Tendring District Council placed a Request for Quotation (RfQ) seeking ‘tender ’ submissions from potential providers for the service of designing, Identifying content, Production, Delivery and Installation of Signage– 13 information boards and 8 wayfinding panel and post signs. Tendring District Council received a total of 2 applications that met the requirements set out in the RfQ, to provide the service in compliance with terms and conditions.
This decision sets out a proposal for the recommended supplier E-Sign Media Limited to be:
1)The Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism agrees to the appointment of E-Sign Media Limited and awards the contract to E-Sign Media Limited for the design, Identification of content, Production, Delivery and Installation of Signage– 13 information boards and 8 wayfinding panel and post signs at a total value of £27,180.50 exc VAT.
2)The Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism agrees entering into contract with E-Signs UK at the value of £27,180.50 exc VAT.
3)The Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism approves the associated use of up to £27,180.50 exc VAT from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Decision

This decision sets out a proposal for the recommended supplier E-Sign Media Limited to be:
1)The Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism agrees to the appointment of E-Sign Media Limited and awards the contract to E-Sign Media Limited for the design, Identification of content, Production, Delivery and Installation of Signage– 13 information boards and 8 wayfinding panel and post signs at a total value of £27,180.50 exc VAT.
2)The Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism agrees entering into contract with E-Signs UK at the value of £27,180.50 exc VAT.
3)The Deputy Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism approves the associated use of up to £27,180.50 exc VAT from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Alternative options considered

An alternative option that was considered is to resubmit the tender in order to encourage additional suppliers to submit their proposals. However, this approach may potentially impede the projects timeline, given the deadline of 31 March 2025.