Decision details

To approve the appointment of the preferred designer, to develop the conceptual design proposals to the end of the RIBA Concept Design Stage.

To approve the Authority to Spend up to a maximum of £250k to develop the conceptual design.

To approve entering into a Professional Service Short Subcontract for the post-competition design fees up to the end of the RIBA Concept Design Stage.

The Director of City Development submitted a report that presented the outcome of the design competition for the redevelopment of City Square, and which sought approval to the appointment of the preferred designer, who in being appointed would work proactively with the Council and stakeholders to redevelop City Square from the design concept submitted as part of the design competition into an approved design.

In introducing the report and in providing assurance to Members, the Executive Member highlighted that the design which had been submitted as part of the associated competition was an indicative design and that the preferred designer would work proactively with the Council and partners in developing a final design.

Responding to a Member’s enquiry regarding the extent to which the design competition format provided value for money, it was noted that the level of cost was in line with what would be expected at this stage of design development for a scheme of this scale.

A Member’s suggestion regarding the potential for an appropriate Covid-19 memorial to form part of the design for City Square was noted, with an undertaking that it would be taken into consideration.

In conclusion, the Board received further details regarding the competition process, and the Executive Member emphasised the key importance of the new design, given that City Square was a gateway to the city centre.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the appointment of the preferred designer, Re-form Landscape Architecture, to develop the conceptual design proposals to the end of the RIBA Concept Design Stage, be approved;

(b)  That the Authority to Spend up to a maximum of £250k in order to develop the conceptual design to the end of the RIBA Concept Design Stage, be approved;

(c)  That the entering into a Professional Service Short Subcontract with Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering (BB) for the post-competition design fees up to the end of the RIBA Concept Design Stage, be approved.

Executive Board

Members of Executive Board