Decision Maker:

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: January 12, 2026

Purpose:

Content: Salford City Council – Record of Decision   I Councillor Youd, Lead Member for Finance and Support Services and chairman of the Procurement Board, accept the recommendation of the Procurement Board and in exercise of the powers contained within the Council Constitution do hereby:   ·     approve for an Extension of Contract for The Greater Manchester Archaeological Advisory Service, as detailed in the table below:   Detail required Answers Contract Reference  (to be supplied by procurement) Title/Description of Contracted Service/Supply/Project Archaeological Planning Services for the AGMA Authorities.   Name of Contractor University of Salford Type of organisation (to be supplied by Procurement) Choose an item. Status of Organisation (to be supplied by CoProcurement) Choose an item. Value of Contract Extension (£) £156,000 per annum (increasing to £159,000 in 2027/28) Total value of Awarded (including extension period) £1,171,321 Contract awarded (to date) Existing Contract Term 01/04/2020 to 31/03/2026 Extension Period 01/04/2026 to 31/03/2028 Contact Officer (Name & number) James Shuttleworth 07773009862 Lead Service Group Place Funding Source Combination of Above (please detail below) Ethical Contractor (EC): Mayor’s Employment Charter Yes EC: Committed to sign the Mayor’s Employment Charter Yes EC: Committed to the principles outlined in the Mayor’s Employment Charter Yes EC: Accredited Living Wage Employer Yes EC: Committed to becoming Accredited Living wage Employer Yes Funding source – Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, confirmed by AGMA Executive in August 2025. Salford will be responsible for 1/10 of the contract value.   The reasons are: the current contract allows three extensions for two years. The current suppliers of this service are considered to provide an excellent service and the offer represents value for money for Salford and the other Greater Manchester districts.   Options considered and rejected were: undertaking an open tender for the service.   Assessment of risk: The risk of not procuring ongoing service is that planning decisions are made without robust archaeological advice. Such decisions may be open to legal challenge. There is a further risk that permitting development without fully considering archaeological implications may result in the unnecessary loss of archaeological assets and heritage.   The source of funding is Greater Manchester Combined Authority.   Legal advice obtained: Submitted by: The Shared Legal Service It is an established principle that an existing public contract is capable of being extended (or modified providing any modification does not affect the overall nature of the contract), and CSO’s also allow for contract extensions to be made, where the parties agree and where the original contract makes provision for such an extension of the original term.   When the contract was originally awarded in 2020 it was clear in the contract documents that the original six-year term would be subject to potential extensions of two years each. Accordingly, any risk that the award would be subject to realistic challenge by an aggrieved provider is extremely low, and the option to extend within the contract is now being properly exercised.   Financial advice obtained: Submitted by: Ethan Bestwick/ Accountant/ Ethan.Bestwick@salford.gov.uk11/12/2025 The GMCA has agreed to assume responsibility for the ongoing costs of this contract. The AGMA Executive Board has confirmed that funding is secured to support the proposed two?year extension. Consequently, there are no material financial implications for SCC in relation to this contract.   Procurement advice obtained: Submitted by: Emma Heyes, Category Manager The award of contract to Salford University was made following a competitive tendering process.  The contract period advertised on the tender was for six years commencing 01/04/2020, and 3 optional two-year extension periods.   This request to extend the contract is the first of those optional extension periods. Due to the value for the extension period being over £150k, the commissioner is seeking authorisation to do this via procurement board.   Following approval, the council’s contracts register must be updated to the new end date.   HR advice obtained: N/A.   Climate change implications obtained: Supplied by: Environmental Policy Team Having effective heritage and archaeological advice supports the effective operation of planning processes across Greater Manchester, including in Salford. This advice can support the reuse of existing heritage buildings, which has positive climate change implications by preserving embedded carbon in existing buildings.   Documents used The following documents have been used to assist the decision process: ·     Procurement Board Report   Contact details Contact Officer: James Shuttleworth Telephone number: 07773009862   ·     The Lead Member has been consulted and is supportive of the proposed contract. ·     The appropriate Scrutiny Committee to call-in the decision is the Growth and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Committee     Signed:   Cllr J Youd          Dated:    12 January 2026.              Lead Member   FOR DEMOCRATIC SERVICES USE ONLY   This decision was published on 13 January 2026. This decision will come in force at 4pm on 20 January 2026 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.