URL: https://ealing.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=973

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: This report recommends the award of a building contract to undertake ground risk mitigation and enabling works at the Gurnell Leisure Centre site. This award forms part of a two-stage tender process which has been undertaken in accordance with the Council's contract procedure rules.

Content: RESOLVED:   That Cabinet:   1.           Agreed to enter into a ground risk mitigation and enabling works contract with Willmott Dixon for works at the Gurnell Leisure Centre site.     REASONS FOR DECISION AND OPTIONS CONSIDERED:   1.     The recommendation to instruct the ground risk mitigation and enabling works package ahead of entering into the main works contract is informed by risk management and cost efficiency. The enabling works will address essential ground remediation and site preparation, significantly reducing uncertainty around soil conditions and associated cost risk before committing the Council to the full construction contract. This approach also provides an opportunity to partially offset inflationary pressures by delivering works sooner than would be the case were these works contained within the main contract.   2.     In addition, commencing enabling works shortens the overall programme by allowing preparatory activities to run ahead of the main construction phase. While this requires an upfront financial commitment, it is a necessary step to mitigate project risks and prevent additional costs or delays in delivering the new leisure centre.   3.     The recommendation is proceed with a fixed-price enabling works package and defer entering into the full main works contract at this stage. This approach significantly reduces financial exposure and contractual risk at this stage while addressing critical site preparation, including ground remediation, which is essential for de-risking the project. It also allows early certainty on scope and costs before committing to the much larger main works contract.   4.     The alternative is to include the enabling works within the main construction contract at a later stage, which would require a large financial commitment without fully quantifying ground conditions. This increases the risk of unforeseen costs and programme delays. For these reasons, the enabling works option is considered the most prudent and cost-effective route forward.  

Date of Decision: February 11, 2026