Decisions

To seek approval to make an advance payment of the annual employers’ pension contribution.

To respond to the Golden Motion approved at Full Council on 8 October 2024.

To seek approval to bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for the Delivery Phase of the Sounds of the South West project and if successful approval to accept and spend the grant.

To provide an update of the current significant strategic risks to achieving the council’s objectives as set in the Corporate Strategy and summarises progress in managing the risks/actions being taken for
each quarter.

Continued increases in demand for statutory services, both nationally, as well as in Bristol, is putting pressure on teams and placement budgets. For those children that are taken into care, life chances can be significantly impaired. The Families First transformation programme will make a step change so that services are more focused on earlier help and prevention, reducing the need for statutory interventions, including placements.
Bristol City Council has been working with Newton Europe Ltd, an external specialist consultancy, to undertake a diagnostic and produce a full business case that describes the objectives, scope, costs and benefits of undertaking the transformation programme.
The business case was approved at C

Bristol City Council have decided to spend up to £475,000 to commission Newton Europe Ltd to update the business case, develop detailed delivery plans and mobilise the Families First Programme.

The services are for the renewal of Palo Alto firewall licenses, which provide vital network services to the council. These services are essential to maintain a secure and resilient IT estate. The contract term reflects the evolving landscape of the council’s IT network, which is currently being upgraded as part of its Digital Transformation Programme. Renewing these licenses will provide additional time needed to replace the existing firewalls, ensuring continuous protection and network stability.

To award a contract necessary to renew Palo Alto Licences

This project is essential to delivering the vision and objectives for city centre, as outlined in the City Centre Development and Delivery Plan (DDP), endorsed by Cabinet in December 2023. The DDP sets the vision and principles for the regeneration of Bristol city centre. This project will help deliver the DDP aim to rejuvenate Bristol’s historic Castle Park as a safer, more accessible, inclusive space for all. Castle Park is a key asset for the city, and delivering this project is integral to delivering the green space required for the new Broadmead neighbourhood (circa 5000 new residents) as well as the wider city. The next phase of procuring design services and develop a planning application for Castle Park, will be fully funded by Strategic Community Infrastructure Levy, without any matching contribution from council funds.
Decision to procure design services was made following the Key Decision on the 5 December 2023 which authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Mayor, to procure and award the contract(s) (which may be above the key decision threshold) necessary to progress the designs and secure planning approval for the transformation of Castle Park.

Approval to award contract from Bristol City Council to Constellia for design services for Castle Park.

Land at Bonville Road is a site of approx. 0.36 acres which is let to European Friction Industries Ltd (EFI) for a term of 75 years from 2.7.1957 (8 years unexpired) at a fixed rent of £500pa. The site is a landlocked site, adjoining EFI’s existing factory premises which is owned on a freehold basis by EFI as shown on the attached plan.
A sale was agreed for the following reasons:
•There is no rent review in the current lease so there is no immediate prospect of rental growth
•The rent passing is only £500pa.
•The council would want to support EFI in growing their business and potentially creating more jobs in the locality.
•EFI are a special purchaser by virtue of their neighbouring ownership meaning that HTC has negotiated a significant overbid for the site. A special purchaser is a particular buyer for whom a particular asset has a special value because of advantages arising from its ownership that would not be available to other buyers in a market.
•The Council cannot use the site for any alternative purpose because it is leased to EFI and the Council has no way of obtaining vacant possession. Furthermore, EFI would not dispose of the site as it is integral to their operation. Even if they did the site is landlocked with no access and is therefore incapable of being independently developed.

The council’s freehold property is sold to European Friction Industries Ltd (EFI).

In December 2024 – Strategy and Resources Committee unanimously approved the project:
1.To approve the proposal to spend up to £33,383,400 in PWLB borrowing on the acquisition of up to 75 homes for use as Temporary Accommodation subject to:
•a. the Full Business Case being signed off;
•b. the £33,383,400 (or such other amount as agreed) being approved within the Council’s full budget for the 2025/26 financial year.
2.To authorise the Executive Director: Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the S151 Officer and Chair of the Strategy and Resources Policy Committee to take all steps required to sign off and implement the Full Business Case.
This ODN documents the Full Business Case being signed off including the below additions:
a)Approval to add LAHF £3.3m grant to the project with no additional committed savings until delivery is more confident of extra units
b)Approval to rollover any unspent capital into 25/26 financial year to deliver outstanding units
c)Approval to purchase as many suitable units as the budget allows

Approve Full Business Case to purchase properties for Temporary Accommodation, to add £3.3m of LAHF funding to the budget, to allow rollover of unspent budget into 26/27 financial year and to purchase as many suitable properties with the budget as possible.

The Council (HRA) entered into a development agreement to purchase 70 homes on the development at New Fosseway in partnership with New Fosseway LLP in May 2024.
Due to the change in the HRA financial position and Business Plan, the decision was made to terminate the contract for the purchase of these homes, subject to a suitable alternative affordable housing provider being found by the LLP, at Full Council on 25 February 2025 with the final sign off delegated to the Executive Director in consultation with the Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Board
A suitable alternative offer has been received which allow Bristol City Council (BCC) to now terminate the contract, subject to the write off up to £110k in abortive costs.

Terminate the development agreement on the purchase of 65 homes at the New Fosseway development.
Termination includes the financial write off, of up to £110k in legal and technical costs.

The Council (HRA) entered into a development agreement to purchase 65 homes on the development at New Fosseway in partnership with New Fosseway LLP in June 2024
Due to the change in the HRA financial position and Business Plan, the decision was made to terminate the contract for the purchase of these homes, subject to a suitable alternative affordable housing provider being found by the LLP, at Full Council on 25 February 2025 with the final sign off delegated to the Executive Director in consultation with the Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Board
A suitable alternative offer has been received which allow Bristol City Council to now terminate the contract, subject to the write off up to £110k in abortive costs and up to £365k in an undervalue.

Terminate the development agreement on the purchase of 65 homes at the New Fosseway development
Termination includes the financial write off, of up to £110k in legal and technical costs and the write off, of the undervalue of the offer from the RP to the LLP of up to £365k.

An experienced acquisitions agent is required to support the delivery of the council’s Acquisition Programme(s). The agent’s role has now been extended to that of Main Contractor to manage the refurbishment works of acquired properties. The procurement can be used for both General Fund and HRA Acquisitions Programmes.
The approval to award a contract to Constellia, who will subcontract Phi Property Acquisitions Ltd and Phi Works Ltd.

The decision has been made to award a contract to Constellia, who will subcontract Phi Property Acquisitions Ltd. for the property sourcing and Phi Works Ltd. for the refurbishment works.
The two contractors will undertake a programme of purchasing residential houses and flats from the private housing market, in addition to other housing opportunities. Phi Property Acquisitions Ltd. will need to deliver sourcing and negotiating, property transaction management, RICS valuation and building surveying services. Phi Works Ltd. will be providing construction services to refurbish the acquired properties.

As per the Committee Decision taken in June 2023 and confirmed in July 2024, the council is changing from the current model for delivering corporate catering and eventing services.
A tender process has been executed to engage a single concessionaire with specialist food industry expertise to assume delivery responsibility for cafés, catering and event/ function services across a number of venues including, but not limited to the City Hall, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery (BMAG), M Shed, Central Library, Create Centre, Lord Mayor’s Mansion House and BCC Parks Cafes and kiosks.
An Officer Decision is required to make the final award.

To award the Corporate Catering and Events Contract to Compass Contract Services (UK) Limited trading as Restaurant Associates Venues

The Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA) are offering grant funding to Bristol City Council, to support the delivery the needs of the Regional Digital Office through the utilisation of BCC expertise and capability (existing resource within the City Management and Response Service).
The MCA led Regional Digital Office was set up to achieve the shared regional Digital Infrastructure Strategic Objectives, set out in the West Of England Digital Plan and working with the Unitary Authorities. The scheme aims to deliver better connectivity by creating optimal conditions for digital infrastructure deployment and investment across our region. This will improve critical infrastructure and enable innovative service delivery transformation.
Through delivering better connectivity for residents and local businesses, this work will deliver the following outcomes (as per the West of England Digital Plan):
•Improved quality connectivity which will enable transformations in statutory service delivery.
•Improved quality of life through access to digital products and services addressing digital inclusion.
•Improved access to good quality jobs and training.
•More world-class businesses, inward investment, and higher growth so our region is an amazing place to live and work.
A resourced Regional Digital Office and prototype service has been set up, tailored to delivering regional connectivity improvement projects that, in the first instance, focus on ensuring the roll-out of digital infrastructure in the region is easier, cheaper, and faster for all involved. The Digital Office will operate as a shared service, providing flexibility and ensuring there is resource and materials to assist councils with mobile/broadband providers.

The MCA CLT, the Metro Mayor and UA CEOs have previously endorsed the recommendation to establish a regional coordination function (i.e. Digital Office) to enable us to jointly drive broadband improvements (CLT Nov 2022, Mayor, Nov 2022, CEOs Digital Plan Feb, then May 2023).
To be noted:
•There is support for regional coordination/collaboration to improve broadband. All consider this essential to improving digital inclusion.
•Available resource/capacity to support broadband roll-out is minimal. Coordination (e.g. via a centralised coordination body) would provide additionality to the Councils.
In March 2024, the MCA Committee approved a £2.519m Digital Office Pilot scheme and delegated the approval of the detailed scope of work and ongoing oversight to the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Strategic Director of Economy and Skills in consultation with Unitary Authority Economy and Skills Directors.
Following this, the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority’s Strategic Director of Economy

As set out in the Committee on 6 February 2025, the A4 Portway Strategic Corridor project is a scheme looking to make highway infrastructure improvements on the A4 Portway that prioritise sustainable transport. In order to deliver these changes, the Council needs to secure the support of a civil engineering delivery partner. This Officer Decision Notice follows on from the decision 3 (iii) of item 12 at the 6 February 2025 Transport and Connectivity Committee, in seeking to award a contract to a civil construction company from Lot 6 of the Bristol Highways Framework for the delivery of Phase 2 of the A4 Portway Strategic Corridor, the kerb realignment and footway improvements.

Exercising the delegated approvals granted in the February 2025 Committee paper, that the S151 Officer, Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration, and Chair of the Transport and Connectivity Committee approve
(i)The tender process undertaken through Lot 6 of the Bristol Highways Asset Management and Associated Works Framework to procure a civils contractor to deliver the Phase 2 of the A4 Portway Strategic Corridor, kerb realignment and footway construction.
(ii)The awarding of the civils contract to the winning bid from the tender run under Lot 6 of the Bristol Highways Framework in the value of £1,465,292.47

At Cabinet on the 24th January 2023 recommendations were approved which authorised the Executive Director Children’s and Education to take all steps required to spend the allocated funding (including procuring and awarding contracts over £500k or entering into grant agreements) to deliver the Youth Zone, including an access road, as outlined in the Cabinet report.
This decision is required to facilitate the tender process for the construction of the permanent access road and associated highways works that are required as part of the South Bristol Youth Zone Project.
After a procurement process using the Lot 6 Highways Framework, the tender was evaluated and found to be compliant with the tender requirements.

After formal evaluation of the tender, it was deemed that the winning bidder had successfully met the requirements of the tender process and it was then recommended for approval.

To provide an update for the Committee

To report for information on the outcomes of the Central Additional Licensing Scheme covering the period 8 July 2019 to 18 December 2024.

To establish a member Task and Finish Group for resident engagement and associated Terms of Reference.

To provide an update on the Tackling Homelessness Transformation Programme

To update on the Council's Performance Management Report for Q3 2024/25.

To present the Committee with the latest detailed financial outturn report.

To seek approval to accept and spend a Warm Homes Local Grant.