Schools and Children’s Services Capital Programme – Appointment of Strategic Consultants
September 2, 2026 Cabinet Member for Children and Education (Cabinet member) Key decision Approved View on council websiteThis summary is generated by AI from the council’s published record and supporting documents. Check the full council record and source link before relying on it.
Summary
The Cabinet Member for Children and Education approved the award of strategic consultancy contracts for the Bi-borough Schools Capital Programme to AtkinsRealis UK Limited, Gardiner & Theobald LLP, and Pick Everard on 2 September 2026. The decision includes an inter-authority agreement for RBKC to access the contracts and delegated authority for contract management and extensions.
Bernie Flaherty, Deputy Chief Executive and Bi-borough Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Health, approved a direct award of a 12-month contract to Learning Disability Network London Limited for the continued delivery of the Enablement Hub Pilot on 28 April 2026. This includes a waiver of the Council's Procurement Code to permit the direct award without competition.
The Cabinet Member for Value for Money and Finance approved a 1-year call-off contract award to Vital Energi Utilities Limited for the continued delivery of the Carbon Management Programme on 21 July 2026. This contract has a maximum value of £4 million and expires on 31 July 2027.
Frances O'Rourke, Executive Director – Environment & Communities, decided on 23 June 2026 to rely on the mandatory Parent Company Guarantee for the Highways and Public Realm Contract and not exercise the option to require a Performance Bond. This decision was made following consultation with the Executive Director of Finance & Resources.
Frances O'Rourke, Executive Director of Environment, decided on 4 August 2026 to award £3,776,428.99 of Carbon Offset funding to 38 projects through the Westminster Climate Fund Winter 25/26 funding round. This decision was made in consultation with the Director of Town Planning and the Director of Finance.
Full council record
Purpose
The Cabinet Member will consider the appointment of strategic consultants will provide specialist input across Schools and Children’s Services capital projects.
Decision
Summary of Decision: The Cabinet Member has approved the award of strategic consultancy contracts for the Bi-borough Schools Capital Programme to AtkinsRealis UK Limited, Gardiner & Theobald LLP and Pick Everard, alongside an inter-authority agreement enabling RBKC to access the contracts and delegated authority for contract management and extensions.
Reasons for Decision: The appointments will provide specialist architectural, project management and cost consultancy support across all stages of school capital projects, including SEND provision, while improving value for money through a coordinated programme approach that reduces the procurement burden, strengthens oversight and risk management, improves consistency, and enables better cost and programme control across Westminster and RBKC projects.
Supporting Documents
Details
| Outcome | Recommendations Approved |
| Decision date | 2 Sep 2026 |
| Effective from | 10 Sep 2026 |
| Plan published | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Lead officer | Sarah Warman |
| Subject to call-in | Yes |