The Projects and Procurement Sub-Committee meeting scheduled for 25 March 2026 was set to cover a range of topics including performance updates, construction project templates, and specific project outcomes. A key item for discussion was the City of London Corporation's approach to liquidated damages for construction projects.

Commercial and Procurement Interim Performance

The Chamberlain's department was scheduled to present an interim performance report on commercial and procurement activities. This report, based on data up to 1 March 2026, was expected to provide an overview of procurement processes and compliance with the Procurement Act 2023. The report indicated a decrease in the number of contracts and total spend compared to the previous month, with a notable drop in the percentage of suppliers identified as Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). Payment performance had also slipped, with follow-up actions planned with underperforming departments. A new Commercial Policy was under development, and a Contract Management Framework had been drafted. The report also detailed the current pipeline of projects, the number of tenders undertaken, and the usage of Procurement Authorisation Reports (PARs).

City of London Corporation Construction Projects Liquidated Damages Template

The City Surveyor was due to present a report proposing an updated approach to Liquidated Damages (LDs) for construction projects. LDs are pre-agreed sums that contractors pay to the City Corporation in cases of project delays. The report highlighted that the previous methods and template for calculating LDs were considered outdated. The proposed revised approach aims to align with recent project outcomes and case law, which allows for pre-agreed LDs without requiring proof of loss, provided they are not punitive. The report also acknowledged the challenges in attracting bids from contractors for projects involving older or heritage buildings, especially when LDs are set at high levels. The updated template seeks to ensure that damages are proportionate and fair, allowing for flexibility where a stipulated amount might be disproportionate to the contract sum. The recommendation was for members to approve this updated approach.

GW6: Petticoat Tower Fire Doors

A report from the Executive Director of Community and Children's Services was scheduled to provide an update on the Petticoat Tower Fire Doors project. This project involved the installation of FD60 Fire Door sets to residential properties and the removal of asbestos bulkhead boarding. The report was expected to detail the project's status, lessons learned, and seek authorisation for its closure. The project's final outturn cost was reported as £298,471.41. The report noted that the project experienced delays due to a contract dispute with the initial contractor, Ventro Group, over the removal of asbestos, leading to a subsequent appointment of Gerda Security Products Ltd. The overall project timeline saw a slippage of 20 months, partly due to these issues and the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges, the report indicated that residents were satisfied with the works and the new door sets met statutory fire safety and City standards, offering improved acoustic, thermal, and security features.

Grenfell Inquiry Report Overview and Recommendations

The City Surveyor was scheduled to present an overview of the Grenfell Inquiry report and its recommendations. This item was for decision, indicating that the committee would consider the implications of the report for the City of London Corporation.

P3 Maturity Assessment

The Chamberlain was scheduled to present a P3 Maturity Assessment. The P3 policy framework is designed to strengthen cost controls and the robustness of business cases for projects and procurement. This assessment would likely evaluate the effectiveness and maturity of this framework.

Commercial Transformation Programme - Update Report

An update report on the Commercial Transformation Programme was scheduled to be presented by the Chamberlain. This programme is likely aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the City Corporation's commercial and procurement activities.

City of London Enterprise Portfolio Reporting (February 2026)

The Chamberlain was also scheduled to provide the City of London Enterprise Portfolio Reporting for February 2026. This report would offer an overview of the City Corporation's portfolio of projects and programmes.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as the approval of previous minutes, an outstanding actions log, and the potential exclusion of the public for certain non-public items.