Decision details

To extend the appointment of Trowers and Hamlins LLP for the provision of legal services (via the NHS framework) to support the delivery of the Golden Valley Development. Extension in principle to post legal agreement with a preferred development partner and potentially into 2022 for on-going legal support, but currently to a spending cap of £150k from current position (i.e. starting from 1st Feb 2021)   .

In Dec 2018 a Legal Services Service Level Agreement was agreed between CBC and Trowers & Hamlins LLP utilising the NHS Shared Business Services framework to provide comprehensive legal services to cover the procurement of a development partner and subsequent contract drafting and to support land assembly matters, including the potential use of CPO powers to support land assembly to deliver the Golden Valley Development.

Trowers were appointed on the basis that One Legal did not have the specific expertise or capacity in-house to support a programme of this scale and complexity.

They have consistently demonstrated their expertise and knowledge through their support to date and they now have in depth knowledge of the Golden Valley scheme and the specific legal challenges that are present.

To seek an alternative legal services provider at this stage would incur significant additional legal costs, potentially delay progress on the procurement of a development partner and consequently delay the start of construction on site.

To conduct a formal procurement process to seek competitive bids for the provision of legal services – rejected due to the costs that would be incurred and delays that would be introduced

To continue using internal legal services – rejected due to lack of capacity and the range of specialist legal expertise required.

To re-appoint Trowers utilising the NHS Framework

One Legal Golden Valley Exec Programme Board