Decision details

Ipswich Borough Council is working with Gecko Theatre Company (a locally based Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation) to create a new build structure for it to use as its headquarters and rehearsal space. This new build option supersedes previous plans to locate it within the Burton’s site at the Waterfront (see Executive Report Ref: E/22/09). The potential location for the new building is the Former Coach Park on West End Road.

IBC is working with Gecko to secure substantial funding from Arts Council England for the project. Arts Council England require extensive work to be done by the end of September 2022 – one part of which is to get achieve RIBA Stage 2 design details – with planning application submission to follow before the end of the calendar year.

Therefore, to meet this target, the Council needs to urgently develop a proposal for the site. EDRM Ltd has been approached to assist in developing a concept and progressing a design for the building to RIBA Stage 2, due to its extensive prior knowledge with regards the project.

The quote received from EDRM Ltd for the above services is £9,900.00 (excl. VAT).

A decision to waive contract standing orders for a direct award to EDRM is therefore proposed, due to the low value of the appointment and the short timescales required. The Major Capital Schemes team has advised that this is a good value quote for the works that are proposed. The main risk to not exempting this from Contract Standing Orders would be an inability to meet the requirements of Arts Council England – which would mean that a large potential grant cannot be secured by the Council.

The appointment will be made from existing budgets.

To waive contract standing orders and place an order with EDRM to allow delivery of a scheme to meet Arts Council England funding deadline.

Reason: To enable application for project funding from Arts Council England.