Decisions

This decision meets the Corporate Strategy 2018-23 for the ‘Fair and Inclusive’ theme which identifies
that decent housing and a high-quality built environment can contribute to the overall heath, wellbeing
and quality of life for Bristol residents.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) announced on 22-12-20 a national
£30m fund to pay for the costs of installing an alarm system in buildings with unsafe cladding. In Bristol the
scheme has been promoted by inviting eligible building owners to apply for the scheme. The Waking Watch
fund pays for the installation of a suitable fire alarm system to replace the need for a Waking Watch. MHCLG
set the grant eligibility criteria. Bristol City Council assesses applications received and makes final decisions
unless the costs per unit exceed £1,500 per unit where MHCLG make the final decision. Local
Authorities/regions will administer the Waking Watch Relief Fund (WWRF).
Bristol City Council were allocated up to £500k with new burdens funding of £31k and is required to sign a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for administering the funding after consulting with Avon Fire and
Rescue as part of the application process.
Bristol has received three bids. The following two have been assessed and approved by MHCLG to the total
value of £90,460.08:
• Adam Church Ltd at a value of £57,699
• Encore Estate Management Ltd at a value of £32,761.08.
A further bid at a value of £108,015.38 is still under consideration by MHCLG and notification is expected in
due course.
This OED seeks approval to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with MHCLG to facilitate the
administration and award of the funding to successful bidders up to the value of £198,475.46 (as approved
by MHCLG) and accept £30,713 of funding to administer the scheme.

The decision will ensure that BCC undertakes the necessary feasibility and development work on the above mentioned schemes providing increased certainty around costs, designs and timescales ahead of applying for further funding to deliver the schemes.

Approval to accept £250,000 from the WECA Investment Fund to deliver Feasibility and Development Work for two projects: Old City and King Street pedestrianisation and St George Liveable Neighbourhood.

To approve Covid and additional funding for incorporation into the Council’s 2021/22 budget, for spending according to the grant / agreements from April 21; and note the Council’s Covid spending under delegation to 31 March 2021.

Extension of the Adult Social Care - Care Home framework in line with the extensions available in the contract

Award a contract for the continued use of the Microsoft Azure Cloud Infrastructure

Update on the progress made by all directorates against the Key Performance Indicators for Q3 2020/21

In March 2021 Department for Transport announced the Active Travel Revenue Funding Allocations for 21/22 and an update on Capital Funding allocations. This replaced the Access Fund of previous years that the council had been awarded from 2018 to 2021. The decision to accept this funding via WECA has allowed the council to continue with the delivery of supporting the development of infrastructure schemes such as Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans; support access to new and existing employment, education and training; actively promote increased levels of physical activity through walking, cycling linked to the delivery of effective infrastructure; and to raise the profile of cycling and walking within authorities.

Approval to accept the Department for Transport revenue funding allocation for 21/22 under the new Local Authority Capability Fund via WECA. This funding is to increase the capabilities of local authorities to plan good active travel infrastructure, including building more expertise and undertaking more evidence-based planning. The Capability Fund will also support traditional behaviour change initiatives where linked to improvements in infrastructure.

The Bristol Beacon Transformation project has faced significant challenges due to unforeseen issues with the building structure and Covid-19. To secure completion of the project, Cabinet approved an increase in budget from £52.9m to £106.9m in March 2021. The project requires a Deed of Variation to amend the construction contract and reflect the increased budget and transfer of design responsibilities and risk that has been negotiated with the contracting partner.
The Councils Strategic Partner has conducted due diligence and submitted a report recommending that the Deed of Variation meets the objectives set out in the decision at Cabinet. The Bristol Music Trust have also been consulted and are content for the document to be sealed. There is agreement between Bristol Music Trust and the Council that the Collaboration Agreement will need to be revised in due course to align with the Deed of Variation.

On the 9th of March, the Cabinet made the following decision:
Cabinet Authorised the Executive Director for Growth
a) Enter contracts for professional services required to complete the project;
b) Amend the construction contract to transfer risk and secure greater cost and programme certainty;
c) Agree any new/additional terms of grant with any grant funding bodies.
In line with the decision taken at Cabinet on 9th March 2021. The project requires the Executive Director for Growth