Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is launching a new ‘Growth Framework’ for construction, civil engineering and development schemes in the borough. The innovative new Framework will support growth by bringing forward Council owned sites for commercial development, in addition to procuring construction and civil engineering works for infrastructure projects and capital programmes.
Blackburn with Darwen Council has an ambitious and exciting Growth Programme, with over 180 public and private sites identified for development opportunity across the borough. The Framework will be used to help accelerate some of those sites bringing forward employment, housing and town centre opportunities.
Two of the new projects that will benefit are the construction of the new independent cinema operated by Reel Cinemas on the former site of the Waves leisure centre in Blackburn, and the new multi-use public space in Darwen town centre that replaces the former three day market building.
Following a robust evaluation and open tendering process, five private sector organisations were appointed to the framework having successfully demonstrated their ability to work collaboratively with the Council to develop identified strategic sites. The appointed bidders were confirmed at a launch event on Friday, January 12 as; Barnfield Construction, Casey, Eric Wright Group, I & H Brown and Seddon.
The Framework will operate for a minimum of four years with options to extend by a further four years. It will prove a valuable mechanism for the Council to accelerate construction and development activity through pre-procured delivery partners, with opportunities for early contractor involvement enabling joint development of schemes. The Framework will also be open for any public sector body within Lancashire to use which will be overseen by Growth Lancashire.
The Framework will deliver additional benefits over previous Council procurement models by creating closer relationships with a select number of suppliers which will assist in developing the supply chain and workforce within Lancashire through the economic and social value performance indicators each Framework Partner has signed up to, covering jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities
Cllr Phil Riley, Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This Framework further demonstrates market confidence in Blackburn with Darwen with investment and commitment from five respected local and regional companies.”
Simon Jones, Council’s Growth Programme Director, said: “The flexibility of this Framework to deliver construction, civil engineering and development schemes will help accelerate growth across the Borough delivering our infrastructure schemes supported by LEP Growth Deal 3 funding.”
Steve Cochrane, Growth Lancashire Director, said: “Growth Lancashire is pleased to be supporting the wider roll-out of this Framework across Lancashire and will help administer the Framework for any public sector partners wishing to use this flexible procurement route.”
Click on the Photograph above to enlarge (L-R) Seddon– David Belshaw, Barnfield– Tim Webber, BWDBC-Harry Catherall, Simon Jones, Eric Wright-Diane Bourne, I & H Brown-Nigel Taylor, Casey-Matthew Sorrigan
