Decision details

In accordance with CSO 8.01 and 8.02, the Head of Programme Management is requested to approve under their delegated authority, the appointment of Inner Circle Consulting to undertake consultancy and coordination works aligned to the delivery of Reopening the High Street Safely and Welcome Back Fund projects.

Inner Circle Consulting will deliver an 8-week programme of support and coordination that will deliver a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach that takes full account of all the considerations needed from each specialist team (i.e., highways; parking; licensing & enforcement; economic development; counterterrorism; regeneration; etc.) and responds proportionately in terms of time and cost.

This will enable the rapid approval and roll-out of pavement licences & tackle some of the more complex proposals for supporting outdoor eating and drinking, providing both a responsive outdoor offer for businesses as well as more area-based place-making approaches that will provide an enhanced experience for customers.

Inner Circle Consulting will deliver a documented process map to be used by officers for future use in the delivery of reopening projects involving cross service activities.

The total cost of the works is £9,884.

The Covid-19 pandemic has had an adverse impact on Haringey’s high streets and town centres businesses. As part the High Streets Recovery Action Plan, the council is working to support businesses with projects aligned to the Reopening the High Street Safely Fund and Welcome Back Fund. This work requires the coordination of several council services, and it became apparent an extra resource was required to undertake this coordination.

The council have appointed Inner Circle Consulting as they have an excellent track record of the delivery of projects aligned to high streets and town centres in other London Boroughs, including Reopening the High Streets Safely Fund projects.

Do Nothing
If the council did not appoint a consultant, it would adversely impact the timescales of the delivery of projects and have a negative impact on the businesses requiring support. Both negative elements could lead to reputational damage to the council.

Go out to competitive tender
As the commission is under £10,000 there is no requirement to go out to competitive tender.

Undertake market testing
Due to the urgency required in the delivery of these projects, undertaking market testing would slow down project delivery Therefore it was necessary to directly appoint a consultant with an excellent track record in the delivery of similar works.