PAPER D2

Purpose: For Decision

Committee:	EXECUTIVE
Date:	12 MARCH 2002
Title:	VENTNOR GROUND INVESTIGATIONS – EXEMPTION FROM STANDING ORDERS
	THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

SUMMARY/PURPOSE

To agree an exemption from Contract Standing Orders in order to commence a contract for ground investigations in the Ventnor Undercliff before the end of the financial year.

BACKGROUND

At the last meeting the Executive agreed to proceed with the construction of Ventnor harbour. The report noted that ground investigations would commence using the £360,000 which is available this financial year from SRB funding.

For the ground investigations it is proposed to let a contract worth £210,000 to High-Point Rendel, who are on the Council’s select list of geo-technical consultants. In order to meet the SRB funding deadline of 31 March the contract needs to be let urgently; it will include £50,000 consultancy fees, and £160,000 for a ground investigation contract which will be sub-let by High-Point Rendel following a competitive process. The Executive is requested therefore to grant an exemption from Contract Standing Orders to allow the contract to be let to High-Point Rendel without inviting competitive tenders. These consultants undertook the major study of Ventnor for the former DoE in 1988-91 and are most experienced in this specialist field.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

If the SRB funding is not utilised by 31 March it will be lost to the Council. Although the fee element of the contract is £50,000, the additional cost of the ground investigation study is being included in the same contract because of the timescale, and therefore an exemption from Contract Standing Orders is required.

LEGAL IMPLICATIONS

The Legal Services Manager has pointed out that tenders have not been invited for this contract. Due to the specialist nature of the work and the short time-scale, Contract Standing Orders need to be waived if a contract is to be let by 31 March.

OPTIONS

1. To agree an exemption from Standing Orders.

2. Not to agree an exemption.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Option 1.

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Paper D report to Executive 26 February.

Contact Point; Robin McInnes tel.3770 or Peter Pilgrem tel. 3207

M J A FISHER Strategic Director Corporate and Environment Services

S SMART The Leader of the Council