The Procurement Board met to discuss awarding contracts for a cultural framework, enforcement agencies and specialist education, as well as additional accomodation at a primary school.

Primrose Hill Primary School – Additional Accommodation

The Procurement Board was asked to recommend that Paul Dennett, City Mayor, approve the award of a contract to Seddon Construction Limited to design and deliver a new single-storey modular build at Primrose Hill Primary School including temporary classroom accommodation during construction. The total construction cost was listed as £4,631,196, with the total project value, including associated fees, listed as £5,226,228.

According to the report pack:

Over recent years there has been an increase in demand for primary school places in the Ordsall area. This has been due to increased growth at reception year intake and, also due to further increased levels of migration/in-year demand that is being experienced across the city.

The works were scheduled to include the creation of an additional four-class modular base and extended dining solution, along with the reconfiguration of external areas to increase the overall site and expand the existing play area.

Enforcement Agencies

The Procurement Board was asked to approve the award of a concession agreement for enforcement agencies for the collection of unpaid penalty charge notices, council tax and business rates.

The report pack stated that the use of enforcement agents is a necessary step in the council’s debt recovery process, applied only after all other avenues have been exhausted. The procurement sought agencies that not only deliver effective recovery services but also align with Salford's commitment to social value, customer care and support for vulnerable residents.

The report pack also detailed how:

Throughout the recovery process, customers are encouraged to engage with the Council through multiple channels—online self-service forms, telephone support, the “Back on Track” service, and in-person assistance at Gateway centres via the BetterOff team. In addition, streamlined referral pathways with Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) and the Welfare Rights and Debt Advice Service (WRDAS) ensure timely support for those seeking independent advice. Customers are also assessed for any applicable reductions to minimise financial strain.

The council was scheduled to consider tenders from enforcement agencies for two lots: bailiff and enforcement services for the collection of council tax and business rates liability orders, and collection of unpaid penalty charge notices.

The report pack stated that the successful bidders were the two agencies currently contracted by Salford City Council, having delivered enforcement services for council tax and non-domestic rates over the past five years.

The companies listed in the report pack as the proposed contractors were:

• Marston Holding
• Newlyn plc
• Bristow & Sutor
• Rundles & Co Ltd

Salford Centenary Cultural Framework

The Procurement Board was asked to approve the award of the contract for development and delivery of the Salford Centenary Cultural Framework, with an aggregate value of £570,000, to Walk the Plank and From the Other. The report pack stated that 2026 marks Salford's 100th anniversary of city status, and that the ambition is to develop a programme that creates an education impact, gathers business support and engages with all stakeholders across the city.

The report pack stated that the two preferred organisations were awarded a small development grant of £3,500 to develop creative ideas for the shape of a creative and cultural programme. This initial proposal was then presented in person to the assessment panel comprising, University of Salford (on behalf of the Salford Culture and Place Partnership), Salford City Council and Lead Member for Culture, Equalities, Sport and Leisure. The panel supported elements of each of the two proposals, and the two organisations were asked to come together to develop a combined creative and cultural programme.

Specialist Education

The Procurement Board was asked to approve an exception to Contractual Standing Orders to award a contract for specialist education to Edstart schools. The report pack stated that the award of the contract would allow Salford City Council to secure provision equivalent to 18 full-time on-roll education places for permanently excluded KS3&4 pupils for the 2025-26 academic year at a cost of £20,500 per place.

The report pack stated that Edstart schools are special educational needs schools and alternative provisions supporting local authorities, schools, agencies and individuals in education. They have been operating since 2010 and are approved as a provider to be included on Salford City Council's Flexible Procurement Solution (FPS) for Alternative Education Provision, and are the only Ofsted¹ registered provider in the city.