DD2515 Royal Docks Place & Workspace Fees

Risk and issues

4.1 A key risk in the delivery of this work will be ensuring buy-in by stakeholders and ensure alignment with the statutory policy framework for the area. to This will be managed through a clear and robust stakeholder engagement strategy and approach at all stages of development.

4.2 The main risk to the workplace investment is that without the specialist advice and consultancy support, the investment projects proposed in the Delivery Plan will not be able to proceed, further funding decisions will not be possible and there will be a delay in the benefit to the EZ.

Mayoral policies and strategies

4.3 This project will support the implementation of a number of the Mayor’s policies outlined within the New London Plan, A City for All Londoners, Healthy Streets Approach, London Environment Strategy and is aligned with the Mayor’s Equalities Framework to consider the requirements of relevant equalities groups.

Consultation

4.4 Structured consultation has been undertaken with communities and other stakeholders in the delivery of the Royal Docks Public Realm Framework and associated public realm projects. Such consultation will continue to take place for new public realm projects brought forward.

Declaration of interest

4.5 The author of the report has no interest that would be advantaged by the works proposed.

4.6 As the Assistant Director who would typically clear this report is also a Director of the Royal Docks Management Authority (RoDMA) for which some of the proposed investment would be on land that RoMDA owns, the Head of Area (North East London) has cleared this paper in accordance with GLA policy. This Head of Area is not a Director of RoDMA, nor is aware of any other conflicts of interest with these proposals.

4.6 The Executive Director who has approved the Decision and those who have reviewed it from a financial and legal perspective are not Directors of RoDMA and are not aware of any other conflicts of interest with these proposals.

4.7 In relation to the proposed investment relevant to RoDMA, the interventions are to undertake significant regeneration and placemaking works to deliver the vision and objectives of the Royal Docks. The investments do not remove obligations from RoDMA.

4.8 There are not expected to be any financial or fiduciary conflicts which could arise but this will be kept under review and in the event that they do arise the relevant officer who is also a Director of RoDMA or has another identifiable conflict of interest will not be involved in the detailed implementation of the Decision.

5.1 This decision requests approval for funding of up to:

a) £785,500 revenue expenditure to develop a strategic masterplan and undertake further design and feasibility work to support the delivery of three new intervention areas and to provide ongoing design consultancy advice; and

b) £100,000 to extend the existing contract to provide consultancy advice to support further investment decisions by the Royal Docks Team to support SME business growth, including refurbishing and acquiring new property.

5.2 This expenditure will be funded from within the £212.5 million approved delivery plan budget confirmed in MD2338 and majority of the costs will be incurred in 2021/22.

6.1 The foregoing sections of this report indicate that the decisions requested of the Executive Director concern the exercise of the GLA’s general powers, falling within the GLA’s statutory powers to do such things considered to further or which are facilitative of, conductive or incidental to the promotion of economic development and wealth creation, social development or the promotion of the improvement of the environment, in Greater London.

6.2 In implementing the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought, officers should comply with the GLA’s related statutory duties to:

• pay due regard to the principle that there should be equality of opportunity for all people;

• consider how the proposals will promote the improvement of health of persons, health inequalities between persons and to contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and

• consult with appropriate bodies.

6.3 In taking the decisions requested, the Executive Director must have due regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, namely the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited by the Equality Act 2010, to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, gender, religion or belief, sexual orientation) and to foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it. To this end, the Executive Director should have particular regard to section 3 (above) of this report.

6.4 Section 1 of this report indicates that the GLA intends to procure services. Section 9 of the GLA Contracts & Funding Code requires the GLA to engage with TfL Procurement, develop a procurement strategy with TfL Commercial (if valued over £100,000) and seek a call-off from a suitable framework where possible or, if not, undertake a formal tender process to procure such services in relation to all contracts for services with a value above £150,000 before the commencement of the services.

6.5 Section 1 of this report also indicates that the GLA intends to vary existing contracts for services. Officers should seek support from TfL Procurement as required when varying any contracts and ensure that variations are properly executed before using such services.

7.1 The projects proposed in this package have largely independent programmes but the below is an overall guide to activities in the coming months: