Decision

The Interim Director of Capital Programmes has approved that Ridge and Partners LLP (Company Number OC309402) be directly awarded a contract to the value of £147,774 via the Fusion 21 Construction Consultancy Framework; Lot 10 CDM Principal Designer, the Work at Height Compliance and Assurance Contract.

Reasons for the decision

An outline specification, together with the required deliverables, was issued to the supplier to undertake a programme of assessments aimed at providing:
•Assurance that the Council’s arrangements for working at height comply with statutory requirements and recognised best practice.
•Identification of work-at-height hazards and associated risks across the Council’s building estate.
•Prioritised recommendations to enhance safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
•Information to support future investment decisions and maintenance planning.
This programme will provide the Council with corporate assurance regarding the effective management of work-at-height risks and establish a comprehensive understanding of the hazards present across its property portfolio.
In this instance, a direct award is proposed to Ridge and Partners LLP through the Fusion21 Construction Consultancy Framework, Lot 10: CDM Principal Designer. The appointment will be supported by a formal contract, which will be prepared and finalised by the Council’s Legal Services team in due course.

Alternative options considered

To do nothing would result in the Council being unable to demonstrate that work-at-height activities across its property estate are being effectively managed and controlled. Without a comprehensive assessment of existing arrangements and associated hazards, the Council would have limited assurance that risks are being identified mitigated, and monitored in a consistent and systematic manner.
Furthermore, failure to act could lead to non-compliance with the Council’s statutory obligations under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 and the general duties imposed by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This could increase the likelihood of accidents, enforcement action, reputational damage, and potential financial liabilities arising from work-at-height incidents.