Cambridge City Council

Record of Executive Decision

Redevelopment of Silver Street Public Toilets – Construction

Decision of: Councillor Rosy Moore, Executive Councillor for Climate Action and Environment

Reference: 24/URGENCY/E&C/6

Date of decision: 25 April 2024

Date Published on website: 25 April 2024

Decision Type: Key

Matter for Decision: The Executive Councillor is requested to approve the commencement of the implementation phase of this redevelopment project, which is included in the Council’s Capital Plan 2023-28 (Approved budget thus far £754,000 - Capital cost centre 100200).

Why the Decision had to be made (and any alternative options):

To approve the capital redevelopment of the existing above and below-ground public toilets in Silver Street, in order to provide a high standard, modern and well-maintained city-centre facility fit for extensive public use.  With competitive tenders for the construction works now evaluated, and the preferred supplier and expected costs known, authority to proceed with the build-phase is needed out of cycle.

Construction activities will include the demolition and replacement of the existing above-ground disability/ baby change cubicle building, along with refurbished below-ground facilities – to include the fitting of access control barriers, an improved internal layout, new drainage, ventilation, electrical and hot and cold-water systems.

The proposals received planning consent on 19 October 2021 (Ref: 19/1167/FUL and 19/1350/LBC), with revisions approved 6 March 2024 (Ref: 23/03902/S19LB and 23/03980/S73).  To comply with this approval, construction needs to commence by 19 October 2024.  The construction work has been competitively procured on the open market during Winter 2023/ 24.

The Executive Councillor’s decision:

To approve the implementation phase of this project which is included in the Council’s Capital Plan 2023-28.  The final contract award price is £575,997.09 (Gray & Sons Builders Ltd).

Reason for the decision: Evaluation of submitted construction tenders has been completed with the successful supplier and final contract sum now established.  Authority to proceed is needed out of cycle in order to enter into a contract with the preferred supplier and commence the mobilisation and construction works from early Summer 2024.

Scrutiny Consideration: The Chair and Spokesperson of Environment and Community Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action being authorised.

Report: As attached tender evaluation and appraisal report.

Conflict of interest: None.

Comments: The project has been subject to regular gateway reviews through its development cycle; with agreement to proceed endorsed by the Council’s Leadership Team/ Executive meeting on 27 February 2024.