Decision details

Approval to extend the appointment of Max Fordham LLP for RIBA Stage 1 to 3 to Stage 3+ Mechanical & Electrical Engineering services on the Mallard Place project

Decision Maker: Delivery Director

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

Approves the implementation of Contract Standing Order (CSO)18.03.3, 18.02.03 and 2.05.1(n) in order to extend Max Fordham’s appointment value of £129,100 (exc VAT) by the value of £28,575 (exc VAT) totalling a revised fee of £157,675 (exc VAT).

Reasons for the decision:

Max Fordham have provided Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) engineering services on the project to RIBA Stage 3 on the Mallard Place project and are currently appointed through to the end of RIBA Stage 3 and planning submission. Extending Max Fordham’s contract to cover work to a RIBA Stage 3+ will assist the project with the unforeseen concerns around the Building Safety Act Gateway 2 (GW2) submission and the current delays nationally with these GW2 applications getting approved. A Stage 3+ appointment for Max Fordham will assist in achieving more robust M&E plans, materials and equipment schedules and an explanation of the contractors’ duties especially in relation to developing performance specified items and the level of detail we require them to produce for their Stage 4 and 5 designs, which will assist in de-risking the design ahead of submission for GW2
The benefit to the Mallard Place of the Stage 3+ appointment is also to assist in de-risking the design for the potential contractors, which could potentially yield much lower design associated costs in the tenders as well as improving the chances of receiving viable tenders for the works contract.

Alternative options considered:

The Council may choose not to appoint Max Fordham for M&E engineering services to RIBA Stage 3+, but this could cause an impact on the amount of viable tenders received, as well as higher tender prices that may cause an impact on the viability of the scheme.

Publication date: 18/11/2025

Date of decision: 17/11/2025