The Director of Neighbourhood Services has decided to award a contract to replace all standpipes across Wirral's Allotment Sites and Cemeteries for the safety of the water system.

URL: https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=6040

Decision Maker: Director of Neighbourhood Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: The Director of Neighbourhood Services has agreed to award a contract to Futureflow Mechanical Services Ltd to replace all the standpipes across Wirral's 42 Allotment Sites and 8 Cemeteries. There are 209 Allotment standpipes to be replaced and 49 Cemetery standpipes (more standpipes than stated may be required over the course of the contract if identified on site). The standpipe replacement programme is needed to ensure that all of the standpipes meet the current legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring the safety of the water system.   The work required is to replace all of the standpipes across our Allotment Sites and our Cemeteries which do not presently meet Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 (there are 209 Allotment standpipes to be replaced and 49 Cemetery standpipes). The old standpipes will be removed and new prefabricated standpipe units will be installed in all sites with the cemetery standpipes having a Non-Concussive Tap fitted and the allotment sites having a Brass Bib Tap fitted. Works will start on site in July 2025 and will be completed within 18 weeks. All works are to be completed within the financial year 2025/26.   This service was commissioned via a contract using the open tender procedure which was conducted in accordance with Council’s Contract Procedure Rules and The Procurement Act 2023.   The procurement exercise involved publishing this opportunity on The Chest, in total five bids were received. The bids received were scored based on: Quality – 30% Price – 60% Social Value – 10% Total – 100%   The award of the contract to Futureflow Mechanical Services Ltd was within the approved budget and in accordance with the Most Economically Advantageous Tender criteria.   Appendix 1 provides a summary of the Tender Evaluation. This appendix contains exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. It is in the public interest maintain the confidentiality of Appendix 1 pursuant to Paragraph 3 ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information).   The financial value of this contract is £224,057.52   The cost of the project is being met from Capital funding.   The award will be underpinned by a formal contract which will be drawn up by the Council’s legal team.     The Council has Capital funding to carry out these essential health and safety works to ensure that all Cemetery and Allotment standpipes meet the meet the current legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring safety of the water system.   The existing standpipes do not comply with The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 which set national standards for the design, installation and maintenance of plumbing systems, water fittings and water-using appliances to protect the public water supply from contamination.   The alternative option is to leave the allotment and cemetery standpipes as they are and not update them. This is not a suitable option, and the Council would not be showing compliance with current legal and statutory requirements if we didn’t go ahead with the works therefore we are not carrying out our duty of care to ensure the safety of the water system.   The decision has been taken under Part 3 Section C - Overview and Scheme of Delegations of Authority to Officers as the decision is not reserved to a Committee or Sub-Committee and the Director is satisfied that paragraphs 2(a) to 2(c) apply.   Background Papers   Evaluation documents – May 2025 Moderated Scores – May 2025 ITT SQ Compliance Table ITT Tenderer response Tenderer Information    

Date of Decision: July 2, 2025