Public Sector Procurement News

Weekly round-up of news, statistics, and information relating to public procurement within the UK and Republic of Ireland.

26 May 2023

In the news this week

This week’s headlines, offering you leads for tendering opportunities and updates about the public sector marketplace.

Revised plans drawn up to transform town centre

Southgate will get a makeover thanks to an additional £6m from the Future High Streets Fund. In total, there will be £30m worth of projects to revitalise Elland town centre and its surroundings. The projects will make Southgate more accessible and attractive for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists. Upgrades to community buildings are also included in the plans.

Millions of people to benefit from £200 million to improve walking and cycling routes

This fund will support active travel in England by creating 121 miles of new bike lanes, 77 miles of new trails and green spaces and safer streets for 130 schools.

Over £450 million investment to improve school buildings

The government has approved over 1,000 projects to improve school buildings and facilities. The projects will benefit 859 academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary-aided schools across England.

£72 million boost for train services in Manchester and the north

The fund will create a new platform at Salford Crescent station and improve the tracks in north Manchester to prevent delays, congestion and crowding. The fund will also add more access points to platforms at Manchester Victoria Station, making it easier for passengers to move around the station during peak times.

Council secures £700,000 of active travel funding to improve Ryde town centre

The Government’s Active Travel Fund will make Ryde High Street more pedestrian friendly and safer. The fund will also create new spaces for people to enjoy, improve access and highlight the history of Ryde town centre.

Nottingham to Lincoln rail projects aims to cut journey times

Midlands Connect has proposed an £18m plan to make train journeys between Nottingham and Lincoln faster. The regional transport group wants the government to pay for upgrades to the line between the cities. The plan would raise the speed of most trains on the route from 50mph to 75mph.

Ferry could ‘Level Up’ tourism in South Wales and South West England

A decade ago, plans were made for a ‘Severn link’ between Ilfracombe and Swansea. Swansea Council recently talked to council officials in Devon and Cornwall about bringing back the plans. They want to start a new ferry service that runs on hydrogen and connects Wales with the south-west of England.

Trowbridge plan for £25m leisure centre unveiled

A new leisure centre worth £25m is proposed to be constructed in a town in Wiltshire. The current amenities in Trowbridge are outdated and the town’s swimming pool is at risk of shutting down soon. The council hopes to begin the project in 2025, subject to approval.

Extraordinary & interesting notices

Here we share the tenders and prior information notices that caught our attention this week.

Digital Transition Strategic Partner Prior Information Notice

Authority: Hywel Dda Local Health Board
Published: 24 May 2023
Estimated go-live: 1 August 2023
Description: Hywel Dda Local Health Board are looking to put in place a long-term strategic partnership to enable us to plan, access and manage the capacity necessary to fully deliver the scale of our digital ambitions. The partnership will do this by fully leveraging the capacity and expertise that exists, both within the Health Board and with a strategic partner, significantly accelerating the pace of delivery of our Digital Response and digital priorities. When we refer to ‘Digital Strategic Partner’ we are describing a contracted relationship with an expert Technology based supplier with skills and expertise across IT and digital.

Provision of Dog Therapy Services Prior Information Notice

Authority: Hertfordshire County Council
Published: 24 May 2023
Deadline: 16 June 2023
Description: Recognising the potential of animal-based therapies, in 2017 HCC launched its Hertfordshire Taking the Lead (HTTL) programme in partnership with the charity Dogs for Good. The programme halted in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the projects operational at this time was HCC’s Staff Dogs Volunteering Scheme (the Scheme). This scheme supported assessed HCC staff and their trained pet dog to visit HCC establishments such as SEND schools and day centres. The rationale behind this scheme was for approved HCC staff and their dog to provide a cost-neutral resource to HCC service areas that could be used to complement existing service provision. The Council now wishes to re-establish the HCC Staff Dogs Volunteering Scheme within a framework that supports its long-term viability.

Operations of the Belmont Cinema Prior Information Notice

Authority: Aberdeen City Council
Published: 19 May 2023
Estimated go-live: 31 July 2023
Description: We are market testing for an operator for the Belmont Cinema and media centre. The Centre, which is owned by Aberdeen City Council, is situated on Belmont Street, the property comprises a three screen cinema, with seating for 272, 146 and 67 persons, café/bar with catering facilities, kiosk shop, offices and seminar rooms.

New tendering opportunities

This week we saw 935 new tendering opportunities, and 87 prior information notices, published across the UK and ROI.
Receive alerts whenever relevant opportunities are published with Tenders Direct.