URL: https://democracy.adur-worthing.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1361

Decision Maker: Service Director for Place & Economy (CLT)

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose:

Content: That Worthing Borough Council to appoint Bellrock as Managing Agent to oversee the management facilities and NHS tenants of the Worthing Integrated Care Centre (WICC) on an interim basis from 1 April to 1 July 2026, until such time a permanent Managing Agent contract has been formally proposed and recommended for approval through the Joint Strategic Committee.   Fees payable to Bellrock under the appointment are collected by them from accrued Service Charge payments made by the tenants of the building under the terms of their lease. Savills had previously been appointed by the Council to provide the managing agent requirements. Savills are currently acting as managing agents for the WICC Building and were originally brought into the management process for the building because at that time the NHS tenants had not entered into a lease. This responsibility was with the Council to fulfil through Savills.   The reason for the change is, that in the development of the Service Charge arrangements, Savills established that the level of Health Technical Memoranda (HTM) requirements necessary to serve the NHS services who will operate from the building, is above and beyond what Savills are specialised to perform.   The enhanced specialist compliant requirements to operate a HTM compliant building to be provided by Bellrock include:   ·         HTM governance ·         Healthcare engineering expertise ·         Enhance compliance reporting ·         Infection control integration ·         Critical infrastructure resilience ·         Water treatment and monitoring ·         Clinical waste handling   All necessary operational policies, maintenance regimes, and audits align with the relevant HTMs.   Although Savills are fully versed in managing large scale commercial buildings they do not offer the enhanced level of structured competency and governance to facilitate the important services to meet NHS estate governance requirements. Therefore they will not be in a position to manage the day to day management of the facility for the following:-   NHS Occupiers   ·         Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust ·         Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust ·         Worthing Medical Group ·         Paydens   Bellrock are already engaged and familiar with the property and have the specialised expertise to fulfil all necessary HTM compliant services as part of a current consultancy appointment. Whereby Bellrock has been working with Savills and the NHS to ensure the WICC is ready to become fully operationalised at the point issues associated with the water system are resolved.   The Council intends to appoint Bellrock for an interim appointment as the managing agent to ensure continuity of service for the management of the building is assured, while the Council determines the longer term procurement requirements for a formal Management Contract Award. As part of this contractual appointment the existing Facility Manager with Savills’ who holds the knowledge and experience of the building, will be TUPED from Savills to Bellrock to support the ongoing management of the building. Managing HTM compliance requires specialist Building Management expertise to facilitate and manage. Bellrock will be appointed by the Council to undertake initial consultancy services due to their knowledge of what is required in terms of integrating NHS and health services. This is essential. There are not adequate resources to fully procure alternative Building Management services to commence by the beginning of April.

Date of Decision: March 17, 2026