MD3159 Extension of London Development Panel 2

1.1    The London Development Panel 2 (LDP2) was established by the Mayor of London with the express aim of accelerating the release of public land for residential-led development. LDP2 is a single-lot framework comprising 29 well-established developers, house builders, contractors and registered social housing providers, all of whom were selected through an OJEU-compliant procurement process. The framework offers comprehensive development and construction services, and is available to all public-sector landowners and registered social housing providers across Greater London. 
1.2    LDP2 was established in August 2018 for an initial term of four years, with a contractual option built in to extend the framework by a further year. The extension was subsequently exercised by the GLA, and the framework is due to expire on 9 August 2023. 
1.3       It is proposed that the framework is extended by a further period up to 31 March 2024. 
 

2.1    The extension to the LDP2 term will allow the existing mini-competitions that are still in a live procurement process (i.e. where a mini-competition process has previously been started but the contract award has not yet been made) adequate time to complete before the framework expires. Without this extension, it is anticipated that the mini-competitions currently under way would not have time to complete the necessary fine-tuning of the call-off contracts, which are required to enable the completion of the agreement in advance of the framework coming to an end.
2.2    All panel users and members will be informed of this extension by letter.
2.3    No new mini-competitions (for project opportunities not previously offered through LDP2) will be started by the GLA, nor will any access agreements be entered into which allows other public bodies to use the LDP2 framework during this additional term. 
2.4    The GLA will also use the time provided by this extended period to continue exploring options for a future development panel to replace LDP2 and how this can align with the Mayor’s aim of accelerating the release of public land for residential-led development in London. 
 

3.1    Under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as public authorities, the Mayor and the GLA are subject to a public-sector equality duty and must have ‘due regard’ of the need to:
•    eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
•    advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not
•    foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not. 
3.2    Protected characteristics under section 149 of the Equality Act are age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, and marriage or civil partnership status.
 
3.3    The purpose of LDP2 is to provide a route to market for public landowners that will accelerate the delivery of new homes, particularly affordable homes. By extending the term of the panel, the number of homes delivered through it is being maximised. The delivery of new homes (notably affordable homes) will help to reduce disadvantages to all groups in society, including those with protected characteristics, by increasing housing supply. 
 

Links to Mayoral strategies and priorities
4.1    By accelerating the delivery of housing in London, LDP2 aligns most notably with the strategies and policies set out in the table below. 

Conflicts of interest
4.2    There are no known conflicts of interest to note for any of those involved in the drafting or clearance of this decision. 
 

5.1    This decision is seeking approval to extend the LDP2 Framework to 31 March 2024. The current LDP2 framework is due to expire on 9 August 2023. The extension is required to conclude mini-competitions that are in progress.

5.2    There are no budgetary implications arising from the extension of the LDP2 framework.
 

6.1    TfL Legal and officers at the GLA have taken legal advice on the actions proposed in this decision. Further comments are set out in Part 2 of this decision. 

6.2    Section 30 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended) gives the Mayor a general power to do anything that he considers will further one or more of the principal purposes of the GLA as set out in section 30(2), which are:
•    promoting economic development and wealth creation in Greater London
•    promoting social development in Greater London 
•    promoting the improvement of the environment in Greater London.
6.3     In formulating the proposals in respect of which a decision is sought, officers confirm they have complied 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 in Greater London; promote the reduction of health inequalities between persons living in Greater London; contribute towards the achievement of sustainable development in the United Kingdom; and contribute towards the mitigation of or adaptation to climate change in the United Kingdom
•    consult with appropriate bodies.
6.4    Sections 1 to 3 of this report indicate that the decision requested of the Mayor falls within the GLA’s statutory powers.