Lambeth Council has refused to state how much it has spent on legal fees following the stalling of the Fenwick estate regeneration at Clapham North.
Mace Ltd was chosen by the Council in April of this year to deliver the regeneration. The Council has been fighting a legal challenge from Karakusevic Carson Architects – another company that tendered for the project.
This has led to the original decision to go with Mace to be abandoned. The regeneration of the estate has been delayed. Further legal expenses are expected. The awarding of the contract for a developer will have to start all over again.
Cllr Paul McGlone, Deputy Leader of the Council (Investment and Partnerships) has been asked to approve a report [pdf] titled:
Decision to terminate the procurement for the Development Management Contract for Fenwick Estate without making an award.
The report confirms:
“There are legal costs implications arising from the recommendations in this report. These implications are exempt information.”
The Cabinet decision to regenerate the estate off Landor Road was first agreed in July 2016. Lambeth Council advertised for a developer in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Interest came from 62 companies. Five of these were short-listed by the Council and invited to tender for the contract. Mace Ltd was informed that it had been selected as the development team manager in April of this year.
The awarding of the contract is being contested by Karakusevic Carson Architects. The Council report claims that is is:
“Contrary to the public interest to proceed with the award. Litigation is expensive and can be very protracted. The Council is not permitted to enter into contract with Mace, as the issue of legal proceedings has automatically suspended the contract award.”
The website for Karakusevic Carson Architects still states:
“Karakusevic Carson Architects have been appointed by Transport for London (TfL) and LB Lambeth to develop a Planning Application for new affordable housing and a replacement community centre on three sites on the southern edge of the Fenwick Estate in Clapham, Lambeth.”
This is looking increasingly like a turf war between competing developers…
This is not a great start for what was suppose to be one of the flagship projects of the Nu Labour Cabinet. Mace has every right to feel peeved off; other bidders for the contract will no doubt feel the same.
Do the council think that if their regeneration specialists’ fees were publicised the populace would be revolted (as they are by BBC presenters earning £600,000 for Breakfast)?
If so bring it on I say – us plebs have the right to know!
(oops! Hit the return button by mistake) In the public sector to be provided,Mitch minimum redaction.
I doubt they would disclose this info. This is “Yellow Paper” Part II stuff – commercial confidentiality and all that.
Even if the case went to court it would remain essentially a private matter as (unlike council meetings) legal documents do not get circulated to people in the public gallery (including reporters – not that South London Press have any these days).
And of course who would know which court would hear the case and when – except the litigants.
You are SOOOO WRONG. The fees charged by Solicitors are NOT LEGAL DOCUMENTS in any way, shape or form.
Lambeth council charged over £80,000 in so-called Legal Fees whilst STEALING my mans huge flat in Brixtopn a few years ago.
I’m gonna get a Judicial Review shortly which will debar both Lib Peck and that hideous bumptious, self-important Paul McGlone et al from ever holding Public Office again for a number of offences, evidence for which I hold in profusion. Not least a number of FOI’s over the last few years.
Micky
Sounds interesting. Can you explain the process?
Apologies: my comment should read:-
Submit an FOI request. The Information Commissioner expects the public sector to provide information to the public. If the Council does not provide the requested information the Information. commissioner will direct them to do so.
And the very best way to submit FOI request is to use https://whatdotheyknow.com
Eno