Decision details

To provide early development support for the TCF programme utilising some of the £3m funding approved by the CA at its meeting in August 2019. Consultancy support is required for programme development and management, as well as providing additional resource and support to Partners for scheme development where gaps in capacity and skills and expertise have been identified.

To date, much of the development work undertaken to compile the programme SOBC has been undertaken by partners existing resources along with support provided by the CA through it’s consultants in place for the Inclusive Growth Corridor work. This has meant that resources have been diverted from existing programmes of work such as the Transport Fund resulting in delays to delivery of those projects and programmes. This will be addressed by the appointment of a dedicated Strategic Development Partner for the TCF programme.

A compliant Procurement Exercise was undertaken through the Combined Authority’s Dynamic Purchasing System to tender for a preferred supplier.

To enter into a contract with WSP as the consultant to provide business case support following a procurement exercise with the tender reference CA1170. The contract is for a value of up to £1.3m for a duration of 6 months. It is envisaged that the contract will commence on 27 January 2020 and terminate on 31 July 2020.