NEWS
INDUSTRY UPDATES Each month PSBJ rounds up the latest public sector construction updates, from new contracts to industry awards.
Morgan Sindall Construction dives into Basildon swimming pool project Basildon Council has appointed Morgan Sindall Construction to deliver a swimming pool extension at Eversley Leisure Centre to meet a high demand for aquatic facilities among nearby primary schools and residents. The 864ft2 expansion to the Basildon-based leisure centre has been procured utilising the Essex Construction Framework 2 (ECF2), which delivers a wider programme of mainly school projects in the wider Essex region to a value of £400m. Morgan Sindall Construction’s Essex business was selected for the project in January 2022, with work expected to start on site in July. Once complete, the site for the four-lane, 25m pool will boast impressive sustainability credentials due to the installation of photovoltaic panels and other carbon-offset measures. As well as the swimming pool, the project will increase the car park’s capacity by 50 spaces. In line with Morgan Sindall Construction’s social value commitment, the Essex business will engage with the local community to add real social value, not only in the delivery of the swimming pool, but throughout the lifecycle of the project.
GT3 Architects explores the future of Newcastle United Football Club Following the recent takeover of Newcastle United Football Club (NUFC), sports and leisure specialist GT3 Architects has proposed an innovative new design for a forward-thinking training academy and community stadium for its local club. Building on the practice’s ‘people architecture’ approach, the project is the first in a series of internal design competitions, which explore how people-centric design can tackle some of the UK’s biggest cultural and socio-economic challenges. The proposed community stadium offers a dedicated home for the women’s team and academy team, as well as much-needed and valuable community facilities. Some of the highlights include: a 7000-seat open stadium, with a safe standing area, integrated groundskeeper storage and elevated grassy bank, offering an informal viewing platform for families; Wembley Way-style access route, with retail opportunities; 3000m2 studio and classroom space; meeting and event spaces, open for community use and offering additional revenue opportunities for the club; semi-private media suite and private commercial suite for NUFC staff; and 13 full-size external pitches, each orientated north to south to maximise daylight hours, and with a portion allocated for community use.
Bruton Knowles expands public New £20m public sector sector client base across UK framework opens for kitchen Leading chartered surveyor firm, Bruton Knowles, has secured six bid manufacturers and suppliers wins in just the last three months for six new public sector clients – ranging from Wales to Hertfordshire to the West Midlands, the North East and North West; all choosing experienced national teams to deliver key schemes re-emerging in the post-pandemic era. Bruton Knowles has been appointed to support the land division of the devolved administration of the Welsh Government. It will also be working for two blue light services, Hertfordshire Constabulary and Cheshire Fire Authority, statutory body Merseyside Recycling & Waste Authority, plus two local authorities, Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and Scarborough Borough Council. Bruton Knowles already acts on behalf of a significant number of public organisations, on both a retained and a project basis, and is seen as a trusted partner in delivering high-quality surveying advice. James Bailey, Managing Partner at Bruton Knowles, commented: “We’re delighted with these recent bid wins which, in total, are worth almost £90,000. They all reflect the breadth and depth of our work across our national teams and the geographic reach that we offer across the country. Our approach has always been to deliver an honest, transparent and expert service for our clients to enable them to use their land and property assets in the most efficient way.”
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Nationwide kitchen manufacturers and suppliers can now apply to be part of a new four-year framework estimated at £20m for public sector projects. Construction procurement provider LHC Group’s Kitchen and Associated Products K7 framework covers the supply and delivery of domestic kitchens and associated products to the public sector, for use in both residential homes and public sector buildings. Running throughout England, Scotland and Wales and open for applications until 19th May 2022, the framework gives suppliers access to work with a wide range of local authorities, registered social landlords, NHS Trusts and other public sector bodies. The K7 framework will be available through Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA), Consortium Procurement Construction (CPC), Welsh Procurement Alliance (WPA) and South-West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) and LHC London and South East England (LSE) for both direct award and mini competition projects, with bids assessed against 60% quality and 40% price. Final appointment will see six allocated suppliers per regional area and two reserves for an estimated start date of summer 2022, running for four years.
