Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Acting Director of City Development presenting a recommendation about the future of Architectural Design Services, following  the extensive investigation of two options identified by the Board at its meeting on 9^th March 2011.

Appendix 1 to this report is designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3).

Further to Minute No. 182, 9th March 2011, the Director of City Development submitted a report presenting a recommendation about the future provision of Architectural Design Services (ADS) following the extensive investigation of two options previously identified by the Board.

The report presented the following two options, which Executive Board had previously instructed officers to explore further:-

Option 1 - to explore to the establishment of a joint venture arrangement with Norfolk Property Services (NPS) as the preferred route.

Option 2 - to explore alongside this in more detail, the option to separately procure design services using existing frameworks where appropriate e.g. Office of Government Commerce (OGC).

Members highlighted the need for this matter to be progressed without delay.

The report provided details of the equality impact assessment which had been undertaken in respect of the proposals.

Following consideration of Appendix 1 to the submitted report, designated as exempt under Access to Information Procedure Rule 10.4(3) which was considered in private at he conclusion of the meeting, it was

RESOLVED –

(a)  That Option 1 be pursued and that the establishment of a Joint Venture Company with Norfolk Property Services (NPS) be supported in principle.

(b)  That, subject to the agreement of detailed terms, the Director of City Development be given delegated authority to finalise contractual terms with NPS and to establish appropriate interim arrangements.

(c)  That, should negotiations with NPS not be satisfactorily concluded, Option 2 be pursued, with a further report being brought back to Executive Board should this situation arise.