Decision

To extend the contract for the Head of Project Delivery Unit (PDU) by a further 60 days covering the period from the start of July to the end of November 2026, in addition to the current 254 days contracted since December 2024; and to approve the allocation of a further £46,020 from the Project Delivery Unit budget to cover the costs.

Reasons for the decision

Work within the PDU is ongoing to deliver a suite of capital projects across the District, alongside partners.

In a Decision dated 13/12/2024, approval was given for the allocation of £190,250 to fund the recruitment of a Head of Project Delivery Unit (PDU) via Talent Bank.

The current postholder’s number of contracted days is due to expire and therefore consideration has been given to the remaining capital projects being delivered and the need for a ‘Head of’ role, and the value for money of the position continuing in line with other PDU staffing resource. The council is currently managing over £60m of capital delivery expenditure and requires experienced professional advisors to progress the works. 

It is therefore proposed to contract a further 60 days of the Head of Unit’s time, and to allocate the required funding to pay for the costs from the Project Delivery Unit budget. It should be noted that some of the post holder’s time can be capitalised against delivery of individual projects.

The ‘Head of’ role is specifically focused on programme management, and this decision brings forward the ability to transparently extend the contract with Talent Bank for uninterrupted work to continue in line with the original timeline set out for the PDU through to November 2026.

Alternative options considered

To not extend the contract with required funding.

The PDU requires the programme management and capital delivery expertise enabled by this postholder to manage and continue delivery on the suite of high value, multi stakeholder capital projects which each has specific spend criteria and deadlines for use of the allocated funding via Central Government. To lose this resource would be detrimental to time-sensitive work and would cause cost to ongoing projects.

To extend beyond 60 days.

The PDU as a team is currently approved for a period of two years from November 2024. Work is ongoing to review the current position on a wider scale to ensure continued delivery of projects against value for money. The future of this ‘Head of’ role beyond November 2026 will be decided in line with the wider Project Delivery Unit.