Cabinet’s decision 22 July 2021 authorised that
“..Allocate the remaining HCCTP programme funding to the development of the transport hub project design and consultation.
- Further public consultation will be undertaken as the transport hub design is developed. …”
In April 2022 Weston Williamson + Partners (WW+P) were commissioned to undertake RIBA stages 2 & 3 and they have carried out design, key stakeholder consultation and the recommended “Drive In Reverse Out” (DIRO) design option and cost plan was presented to cabinet for approval on 27 October 2022. The initial contract value was £362,697.00. This was increased to £462,697 to allow for additional surveys and planning submissions.
In the meantime, there is budget in the current 2023/24 capital programme to progress the design of the transport hub project using this intervening period to achieve as close to a shovel ready scheme as possible by carrying out designs for upgrading the Station Building.
The council’s contract procedure rules and the Public Contract Regulations 2015 allow contract variation to a maximum of 50% of the original contract value where the services remain similar.