To approve the direct award of consultants Montagu Evans from the Crown Commercial Services Estates Professional Services framework contract to provide advice to the council in relation to strategic property asset. 

THAT:

(a)       Montagu Evans be appointed from the Crown Commercial Services Estates Professional Services framework to provide advice on a potential strategic property asset at a cost of not more than £20k.

The council has been made aware of the imminent sale of a significant property asset and it wants to obtain independent expert advice on the potential benefits and risks that could be achieved if the council were to purchase.

If such advice is not obtained now then there is the risk that other potential purchasers will be able to move faster than the council should the property come to market and the opportunity will be lost. 

By using the Crown Commercial Services Estates framework we have the ability to use consultants with the relevant local, regional and national expertise at a cost that has been competitively tested through a public procurement process.  

Procure agents in accordance with council’s procurement procedure which will incur staff resources and delay the appointment.