Decision details

This decision / report for consideration is to seek approval via the Director Delegated Authority to award the contract for the refurbishment of the 1^st floor of Croydon Central Library to create a digital discovery space and rooms for hire.

There is funding from Arts Council England and Libraries capital fund to complete the project.

The service originally sought to procure the works through the councils FM term contractor OCS, but their quotations offered did not provide value for money.

Procurement Board then approved for the opportunity to go to market to a select group of five contractors with a view to procuring a local SME better suited to the scale of the works required.

Key risk – Arts Council Libraries Improvement Fund grant for part of the works requires the build to be completed by March 2026.

For the reasons set out in this report the Director for Culture & Community Safety (Please note, decision was subsequently delegated and taken by Director of Streets and Environment) is recommended by the Chair of CCB to approve the award the contract for the provision of Central Library 1st Floor Refurbishment Project Libraries Improvement Fund (Arts Council funded) to the supplier (B)  named in part B of the report for the aggregate value of £350, 000.00 (three hundred an fifty thousand pound sterling)  for ten (10) months.

Note that the name of the successful supplier will be released after the award decision.

• In the event that the Council is unable to enter into a contract with Supplier  B; it can enter into a contract with the reserve bidder (Supplier A).

This excludes the FF&E which is being awarded separately. The total estimated value including the  FF&E is £358,518.