Viability Advice on Planning Issues

Contract No. VA/17/1

Brief for consultants

Scope:

Ashford Borough Council is seeking to refresh its standing arrangement for advice on planning applications and planning policy issues where financial viability needs to be considered. The volume and scope of the work is unpredictable – a rough annual average suggests in the order of 10-20 days a year and the consultant will need to be able to respond flexibly to timescales set by the client.

The typical nature of the work is that the consultant is involved once a planning application supported by viability case has been made. The consultant’s role is to critically assess and advise on this material; seek a client instruction in the light of this and then often get involved in negotiations with those advising the applicant to seek to reach common ground. The consultant will need to demonstrate a clear understanding of the aims and objectives of the Council, based on its policy base, and a determination to secure the best result possible for the community, whilst enabling development to proceed.

The consultant may also be asked to advise on issues relating to the application of planning policies as they are formulated as part of their testing. The Council wishes to establish an on-going relationship, during which time the consultant will develop a strong awareness of the Ashford market, for a period of up to 4 years at which time the arrangement would be refreshed again to ensure value for money.


Process:

Proposals are invited from interested consultants with relevant skills and strong experience in advising local authorities on viability assessment work. Two referees should be provided from previous local authority clients.

Your proposal will be evaluated 80% quality/20% price


Proposals should cover the following:

1. Relevant skills and experience of named individual(s) who will carry out the work;
2. A fixed price for a Viability Assessment and Report for different size schemes – for the purposes of this proposal three levels - up to 50 homes; 50 – 200 homes; 200 – 1000 home schemes;
1. An hourly rate for subsequent negotiations on viability assumptions or attending meetings, with a capped fee for each site size in 2 above;
2. A daily rate for attending appeals with a fixed price for a Proof of Evidence to match the scheme sizes in 2 above.

The deadline for the receipt of proposals will be 14:30hrs Friday 16th June 2017. Proposals will be reviewed in terms of their value for money; appreciation of the role and tasks involved and the skills and experience of those individuals providing the service.

Interviews with shortlisted consultants may be held and a decision is likely to be made in early July when all parties will be notified.

Terms of business should be included with your proposal and must include special conditions on FOI, Equality and Diversity, Data Processors, The Bribery Act and Indemnity (attached Special Conditions)

Term:


Anticipated to be up to four years.


Proposal Return:

If you wish to submit a proposal you should do so by 14:30hrs on Friday 16th June 2017 in a plain sealed envelope (using the label attached) and returned to Customer Services Manager, Customer Contact Centre, Tannery Lane, Ashford, Kent. TN23 1PL
Documents attached:
- brief for consultants
- return label for proposal
- special conditions
Notes:
1) Please register your interest through the South East Business Portal - we will use these registration details to inform you of any amendments or clarifications.
2) The final date/time for clarification is 17:00hrs on 9th June 2017
3) Please be aware that you need to submit your proposal by the due date.
4) When submitting your proposal, please keep additional marketing materials to a minimum
5) The "Last Date for Expressing Interest" detailed at the beginning of this notice, is the last date for submitting your Proposal.

Further Information: If you have any queries please contact Richard Alderton, Director of Place and Space on 01233 330239 or richard.alderton@ashford.gov.uk;