Issue - meetings

Any other business which by reason of special circumstances the Chair agrees may be considered as a matter of urgency:

Bury Art Museum Appointment of Contractor

Updated report of the Cabinet Member for Culture, Economy and Skills is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Culture, Economy and Skills presented a report which sought approval to appoint a contractor for work to the Bury Art Museum roof. This had been deferred from the previous meeting in order to clarify a point regarding the named contractor. Councillor McGill confirmed the crux of the matter was a mistake over two similar trading names, and gave assurances around the enhanced due diligence that had been undertaken. In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that Constellia, the external procurement agency, had issued a letter of apology and the Council retained confidence in using their services for future projects.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Noted the receipt of £589,545 restricted grant funding from the Arts Council, and £65,505 match funding from Bury Council, together totalling £655,050.04, which is specifically allocated for essential and urgent repairs of the roof at Bury Arts Museum (“Building Works”);

2.    Noted that Bury Council as part of the funding conditions has entered a Deed of Covenant with the Arts Council dated 15th December 2025, this places a 15-year restriction over the freehold of Bury Arts Museum. This is in accordance with an earlier Cabinet approval (September 2024);

3.    Noted that the Council has committed an additional £247,833.59 towards the cost of the Building Works;

4.    Noted the procurement process that has been undertaken by the Council to identify a contractor to undertake the Building Works;

5.    Approved the appointment of Craftsman Restoration Ltd (07339652) trading as UK Restoration Services as the contractor (“Contractor”) to undertake the Building Works, with a total estimated contract value of up to £888,801.63 (“Fee”); and

6.    Noted that in line with the recommendation of the project panel, the form of contract with the Contractor, will be JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractor's Design 2024 Edition including amendments.

Reasons for the decision:

·       Approval to appoint the Contractor is sought so that the urgent Building Works required to the BAM roof can commence. The Contactor has been selected by the project panel as the most qualified/experienced to carry out the work on a Grade II Listed building, and with the most competitive quote of the tenders.

·       As part of the procurement process, additional due diligence was undertaken to assess both the contractor’s capacity and capability to deliver the contract. This included a review of financial standing, project references, workforce arrangements and delivery model. The Council is therefore satisfied that the contractor possesses the necessary experience, technical expertise, operational capacity and supply chain arrangements to successfully undertake the works. Ongoing performance and financial monitoring will be maintained throughout the contract to provide continued assurance during delivery.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

The Council has a statutory duty to protect Grade II listed buildings under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. If the urgent repairs to the BAM roof are not carried out, the water ingress will continue, and the condition of the building will deteriorate further. There are no alternative options, as the BAM roof  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33