As part of the accountable body role there is a need for the council to independently assure all the business case submissions and project documentation that is submitted to the council at stage two of the Towns Investment Plan submissions. The council used Chamberlain Walker in stage 1 when the council needed assurance of the programme.

It has been decided that the assurance process needs to be consistent and it is considered appropriate for this work to be undertaken by the same consultants to ensure carry over the previous assurance and provide the council with a continuous review which is why an exemption to the contract procedure rules are being asked for. There are up to 15 business cases that may be put forward, 3 of those are business cases for council promoted projects.