Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 12, 2026

Purpose: This report requests delegated authority to Corporate Director City Operations to award the contract and approve spend on key project decisions for the scheme.

Content: 1)             Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director City Operations with consultation with the cabinet member to submit the completed Full Business Case (See Appendix 1) for the Phases 4 and 5 Scheme to the Department for Transport (DfT) for approval and release of the Major Road Network (MRN) Funds amounting to £22.2 million.   2)             Subject to approval of the Full Business Case  for the release of the MRN Funds by the DfT to the Council, Cabinet delegates authority to the Corporate Director City Operations with consultation with the cabinet member to take all steps necessary to implement the Phases 4 and 5 Scheme including to award the two suitable construction contracts for the Phases 4 and 5 Scheme to the preferred bidders of Knights Brown Construction Limited and to enter into the contracts and any associated warranties and documents..   3)             Cabinet approves a Capital budget for phases 4 and 5 of the programme totalling £24.850m. This represents the total scheme costs less costs incurred to date, funding arrangements are included within the financial implications of the report.   4)             Cabinet agrees to provide approval to undertake a play area feasibility study for the future of the wet and dry play areas in front of Phase 4 once construction is complete. This is detailed in section 3.13.