DD129 Good Growth Fund Round 2: Canal projects - Design and delivery technical services

Following completion of the Canal Placemaking Study (CPS), setting out a coherent vision and placemaking principles for the Grand Union Canal in the OPDC area, OPDC has been awarded £1,200,000 of capital funding from the Mayor of London's Good Growth Fund Round 2 to deliver a series of community and public realm focused initiatives along the Grand Union Canal in Old Oak and Park Royal to pilot and test principles from the CPS. The projects and funding were approves by OPDC Board on 26 September 2019.

Key aims of the projects are to encourage activity at key access points on the canal, improve access points from street level to the canal and improve biodiversity, signage and wayfinding along the canal to make this key environmental asset safe and welcoming to communities.

OPDC's CEO approved expenditure for the design fees of the Harlesden Canalside and Old Oak Land towpath projects with a combined contract value of £150,000 (CD128). Since then, design teams have been appointed for both projects.

To support the design and delivery of these project, ad hoc technical services need to be commissioned. This includes, but is not limited to, conducting site surveys, gaining approvals and consents and managing health and safety under CDM Regulations 2015.

This decision seeks approval of up to £50,000 expenditure of Good Growth Fund Round 2 funding towards technical support, as well as approval and consent fees for the design and delivery of the canal projects.

It is anticipated that the budget under the decision will be spent by the end of financial year 2020/2021. However, we do anticipate Covid-19 related restrictions to remain in place at least partially throughout summer. Design Team are in are currently working with the GLA to confirm to grant extension which may cause further delay to the projects. Programme and timescale adjustments will be made in coordination with the appointed consultants once the grant extension is formalised.

OPDC will commission technical surveys to inform design work on the Good Growth Fund round 2 funded canal projects. These surveys include, but are not limited to:

• Topographical surveys;
• Utilities surveys;
• Building surveys;
• Ecological surveys; and
• Arboriculture surveys.

A schedule of required site surveys and associated costs will be drawn by the appointed design teams.

A range of consents and approvals will be required. These include, but are not limited to:

• Third Party Works consent from the Canal & River Trust;
• Building Control from the Local Planning Authority;
• Planning Consent from OPDC;
• Defra consent; and
• Basic Asset Protection Agreements from Network Rail.

A schedule of required consents and approvals, and associated costs, is being prepared by the project teams.

Where capital works are to be delivered through term contractors, design consultants will be appointed to advise on and manage design quality during RIBA Stage 5 and Stage 6.

OPDC will also appoint a Principal Designer to manage and monitor the risks to health and safety throughout the project as per CDM Regulations.

Other specialised ad hoc services may include, but are not limited to:

• Community mentoring and volunteering initiatives to support capital projects; and
• Additional design and technical support during technical design and construction delivery.

Under Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, as a public authority, the OPDC must have 'due regard' of the need to (i) eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation (ii) advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; and (iii) foster good relations between people who have a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not. Relevant protected characteristics under section 149 are age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation, and marriage or civil partnership status.

OPDC will ensure that any consultants appointed to this commission have firm and robust equality policies in place and are committed to proactively apply the principles of the Equality Act 2010 in their ways of working and their interactions with third party stakeholders and members of the community.

The project form part of the OPDC's 'In the Making' initiative, incorporating OPDC workstreams which are delivering creative projects and activities benefiting local communities and creating a new public life and a sense of place across Old Oak and Park Royal in the next 1-5 years, including:

• Capital projects (public realm improvements, meanwhile activities - externally funded by Good Growth Fund);
• Great Place Scheme projects (externally funded by Heritage Lottery Fund + Arts Council); and
• Engagement initiatives (part of the Communications and Engagement team's workplans to engage with young people).

The In the Making capital projects from part of the first phases of OPDC's new approach and delivery Plan.

They enable OPDC to deliver improvements and pilot initiatives within locations where it is possible to accelerate delivery. A key aim is to provide confidence that OPDC are bringing forward the regeneration of Old Oak and Park Royal.

The overarching objectives of the In the Making initiative are:

• Delivery everyday improvements and opportunities with and for local people;
• Growing initiatives which will shape successful places; and
• Celebrating and promoting what makes Old Oak and Park Royal special

Expenditure of up to £50,000 on external services as detailed in this report will be funded by the Good Growth Fund 2020/21 budget. Officers are reminded to only incur eligible capital expenditure and to submit timely grant claims to the GLA, so as not to expose the Corporation to financial risk.

Further expenditure is subject to the Corporation's decision making process.