Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership

Invitation to Tender

Local Growth Fund Mid Term Evaluation

August 2018

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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) wish to commission an interim evaluation of its Local Growth Fund (LGF) programme.

CWLEP has been awarded a total of £201m of LGF through three bidding rounds. The first round awards were announced in 2014, the second round in 2015 and the third round in January 17.

The programme is due to run until March 2021.

A list of the projects in the LGF programme, along with indicative grant amount, short description and current status is included at Appendix A.

2. REQUIREMENT

CWLEP require that a mid term evaluation is carried out of the programme to date. The research objectives are to measure the impact of the Local Growth Fund to date, review the management and monitoring of the programme, review the approval and development of projects, review and comment on the impact and value for money.

We would also like the consultant to review the LGF programme against other programmes, managed by the LEP: European Structural Investment Funds and Growing Places Fund to see if there is any best practice that can be carried across to the LGF programme and future programmes, with a high level review of what does and doesn’t work well on the programmes.

The report should specifically take into account:

Delivery Progress to date Quality of project delivery and impact; The delivery model and governance arrangements at a programme and a

project level; Highlight any major issues with specific projects Are the projects delivering

Outputs and Outcomes Economic benefits of the programme, including reviewing direct and indirect

jobs, cost per job, match funding and leverage, new housing etc.

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Progress against objectives, output targets and milestones; Strategic Added Value; Additionality; Value for money at a programme and project level; Is the programme on track to achieve what it set out to?

Systems and Processes Review of the approval process and monitoring of projects and the

programme. This should look at the two approval phases. Approval in principle of the projects by DBEIS and then detailed approval by the LEP.

Strategy Fit with the LEP’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) Good practice and lessons learnt; Forecast the economic impact of the programme;

Recommendations What could have been done better and/or differently at both a programme

and project level. How can we better achieve outcomes from future programmes and/or what

should we consider doing differently.

Full details of outputs achieved to date and contracted along with more details monitoring information will be shared with the successful bidder.

We would like the report to be completed by the end of October 2018.

3. METHODOLOGY

The following tasks are suggested methods to achieve the research objectives:

3.1. Desk Based Review

Desk-based analysis involves three strands;

A review of existing evidence to: Clarify data available to support the evaluation and identify any gaps;

Contextual, strategy and policy review including, a review of projects and the programme materials, including delivery plans, business plans, funding approvals, offer letters, monitoring reports, relevant strategy and associated reports;

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Review project activities; and Identify existing evidence of delivery, outcomes and achievements.

Analysis of project and programme monitoring data to:

Assess progress against output targets; Assess progress against funding targets; and Assess progress against milestone targets.

3.2. Stakeholder Consultations

Consultations with stakeholders including:

The projects are delivered by the following bodies:

Cheshire West and Chester Council Cheshire East Borough Council Warrington Borough Council Reaseheath College South Cheshire College University of Chester

Key stakeholders in the programme are:

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Department for Transport Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government

The successful bidder will be expected to speak with each of these bodies to seek their views on the LGF funding approval and monitoring process.

Consultation will add further meaning to data, gather non-quantified outcomes/impacts, and measure performance and progress against strategic targets. Consultations would also establish the main achievements and lessons to be learnt, additionality, levels of stakeholder and community engagement and strategic linkages.

A list of contacts is appended.

4. OUTPUTS

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The final analysis and report will include:

Project approval: Exploring the process and timescales from the initial bid submissions to the projects final approval.

Efficiency: Measuring the extent to which the programme has met performance/ output targets, funding profile and progress against funding targets and milestone targets. This will also include a judgement on whether targets were realistic and appropriate.

Economy: An assessment of value for money by analysing cost per output and benchmarking against other similar projects and programmes.

Effectiveness: The extent to which the programme has achieved planned objectives, and taking into account the wider benefits of the projects which may not be captured through output and outcome data. This will include feedback from Stakeholders. Can any lessons be learned from other LGF programmes?

Additionality: The extent to which impacts of projects would have been achieved without the investment.

Strategic Added Value: The evaluation will also take into account strategic Added Value (catalyst and leadership effects, leverage, engagement, contribution and links to wider strategies).

Partnership and delivery: A review of existing partnership and delivery mechanisms and recommendations for future delivery of this type of programme. This will include, for example, governance, organisation, communication, knowledge sharing and capacity building and, systems and processes.

Lessons learnt: The evaluation must identify lessons to improve performance and delivery.

Recommendations: Setting out what the LEP should address in relation to the delivery of the rest of the LGF programme.

Presentations – the winning contractor will need to cost for at least 1 presentation of the outputs of the study.

All intellectual property rights from this project will remain under the ownership of the LEP and the final report will be made available on the LEP’s website.

5. PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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Rachel Brosnahan will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the project. Ultimately, the contractor will report to the project manager and be expected to attend at least 1 progress meeting with the Project Manager and 1 meeting to present the findings and outputs.

6. TIMESCALES

Activity DateIssue brief for procurement 17th August 2018

Deadline for submissions 12.00 7th September 2018

Appointment of consultant 12th September 2018

Inception meeting 10.00 19th September 2018

Completion of report by 26th October 2018

Presentation to P&I 1.30 21st November 2018

All dates are subject to change.

7. Submission requirementsBidders are required to submit tenders in an electronic format (i.e. MS Word/PDF) setting out the following:

Introduction Project Appreciation Methodology Work plan and staffing (including a full schedule and milestone delivery) Details of any subcontractors to be used Demonstration of experience of providing similar services (A4 page

summary of experience) References of 3 major contracts awarded within the last 2 years for

services similar to those required by the LEP. CVs of key personnel to be attached to the account (one A4 page

summary per person) Financial proposal (see below)

8. FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Project management and professional time required;

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Schedule of rates for personnel - daily Fixed price for whole project Other costs (to be specified); All costs should be quoted exclusive of VAT

9. Evaluation of tendersEach proposal will be scored against the following evaluation questions, weighted as follows:

Evaluation question ScoreProposed approach to the assignment 20Experience of delivering similar assignments 25Knowledge and expertise of staff 25Price 30Total 100

Each evaluation question will be scored using the following scoring criteria: Scoring criteria ScoreFailure to respond or irrelevant information which fails to meet the requirement

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Response is unsatisfactory partially meets the requirement 2Response is acceptable and meets the minimum requirement 3Response is good - better than merely acceptable 4Response is excellent, exceeds the requirement and gives added value

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10. Financial arrangements Payments for services covered by this invitation to tender will be on submission of appropriate invoices, subject to Cheshire & Warrington LEP’s standard payment terms. Invoicing arrangements will be agreed with the successful provider following the award of the contract.

11. ContractA contract will be awarded to the tenderer whose proposal is deemed to be the most economically advantageous subject to agreement on conditions of that contract. Please note that the LEP reserves the right to cancel the tender process at any time prior to a contract being entered into. Cheshire & Warrington LEP is not bound to accept the lowest price or any tender submitted.

12. Further information and queries

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If you require any clarifications relating to the information contained within this invitation to tender please contact Rachel Brosnahan (contact details below) before 12:00 noon on Friday 7 th September 2018 . Responses to requests for clarification may not materially change any of the elements of the tenders submitted. Any additional information provided by the LEP as a result of requests for clarification will be made available to all potential bidders via the CWLEP website : http://www.871candwep.co.uk/resource-types/tenders/Rachel Brosnahan Programme ManagerCheshire & Warrington LEPTel: 07432 360226Email: rachel.brosnahan@871candwep.co.uk

13. TENDER PROPRIETYConfidentiality and Disclaimer

13.1. This ITT is not an offer capable of acceptance but represents a definition of specific requirements and an invitation to submit a response addressing such requirements.

13.2. Neither the issue of the ITT to you, your preparation and submission of a tender, or the subsequent receipt and evaluation of your tender by Cheshire and Warrington LEP commits Cheshire and Warrington LEP to award a contract to you or any other bidder, even if all requirements stated in the ITT are met. Cheshire and Warrington LEP is not responsible directly or indirectly for any costs incurred by your firm in responding to this ITT and participating in Cheshire and Warrington LEP’s procurement process.

13.3. All firms shall keep strictly confidential all information contained in this ITT, and other information or documents made available to it by or on behalf of Cheshire and Warrington LEP in connection with this ITT. The firms shall not disclose, nor allow any such information to be disclosed. Submission of a formal response to this ITT will confirm your agreement to observe these confidentiality requirements.

13.4. Contact by the firms with Cheshire and Warrington LEP during the bidding process should only be with the individuals named as the Cheshire and Warrington LEP tender contact. Respondents shall not offer or give any consideration of any kind to any employee or representative of Cheshire and Warrington LEP as an inducement or reward for doing, or refraining from doing, any act in relation to the obtaining or execution of this or any other contract with Cheshire and Warrington LEP.

Material Misrepresentation

13.5. Cheshire and Warrington LEP shall reply on the information provided by the bidder in relation to its offer. In providing the services as specified in

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the Invitation to Tender documents the successful bidder/tenderer shall comply with the contents of its offer as failure in this respect may constitute a material breach of contract.

Collusive Bidding

13.6. Collusive bidding is unacceptable to Cheshire and Warrington LEP. Any tenderer that is caught by Cheshire and Warrington LEP to be circumventing rules or the law during this tender process will automatically be disqualified from the tender process.

This applies to any bidder who: a). Fixes or adjusts the amount of his bid by or in accordance with any agreement or arrangement with any other person, orb). Communicates to any person other than Cheshire and Warrington LEP the amount or approximate amount of his proposal (except where such disclosure is made in confidence to obtain quotations necessary for the preparation of the tender for instance) or, c). Enters into any agreement or arrangement with any other person* that he shall refrain from bidding or as to the amount of any bid to be submitted, ord). Offers or agrees to pay or give, or does pay or gives any sum of money, inducement or valuable consideration directly or indirectly to any person for doing or having done, or causing or having caused to be done in relation to any Offer or proposed Offer for the Services or any act or omission will be disqualified (without prejudice to any other civil remedies available to Cheshire and Warrington LEP and without prejudice to any criminal liability which such conduct by a bidder may attract).

NB Sub-contracting is permissible where the bidder believes that this will enhance their proposal, however this must be clearly stated.

Bribery

13.7. Bribery means any offence under the Bribery Act 2010 or related Laws creating offences in relation to offering, promising or giving a bribe or requesting, agreeing to receive or receiving a bribe

13.8. The Contractor agrees with the Client that this Contract will operate on the basis of zero tolerance being shown towards any Fraud and/or Bribery. The Contractor shall take all reasonable steps, in accordance with Good Industry Practice, to prevent Fraud and Bribery by Staff and the Contractor (including its shareholders, members, directors) in connection with the receipt of monies from the Client and with the operation of this Contract.

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APPENDIX 1 Form of TenderSchedule 2Declaration by TendererITT Title: Mid Term Evaluation of CWLEP’s Local Growth Fund Programme

1. I, [insert name], certify that I am the person duly authorised to sign tenders for and on behalf of [insert company name], the tenderer, and having read the documents, offer to supply the goods, services or works:

as set out in the letter of invitation to tender, the specification and accompanying tender documents, samples and/or drawings.

under the terms and conditions indicated at the price (or prices) specified in the attached tender

documentation.

2. It is agreed that any or other terms and conditions of contract or any caveats, assumptions, reservations or exclusions that may be printed on correspondence emanating from the tender, or any Contract resulting from this tender, shall not be applicable to this tender or agreement.

3. I certify that this is a bona fide tender and that I have not fixed or adjusted the amount of the tender by, or under, or in accordance with any agreement with any other person. I have not done, and undertake that I will not do at any time before the hour and date specified for the return of the tender, any of the following acts:

Communicate to a person other than Cheshire and Warrington LEP, the amount or approximate amount of the proposed tender, except where the disclosure, in confidence, of the approximate amount of the tender was necessary to obtain insurance premium quotations required for the preparation of the tender

Enter into an agreement or arrangement with any other person that he/she will refrain from tendering or to the amount of any tender to be submitted

Offer, or pay, or give, or agree to pay any sum of money or valuable consideration, directly or indirectly to any person for doing, or having done, or causing to be done in relation to any tender or proposed tender, for the said work, any act or thing of the sort described above.

4. I further certify that the principles described in paragraph 3 have been, or will be, brought to the attention of all subcontractors, suppliers and associated companies providing services or materials connected with the tender and any

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contract entered into with the subcontractors, suppliers or associated companies will be made on the basis of the compliance with the above principles by all parties.

5. I understand that Cheshire and Warrington LEP reserves the right, unless the tenderer stipulates to the contrary in the tender, to accept such portion thereof as Cheshire and Warrington LEP may decide. Cheshire and Warrington LEP is not bound to accept the lowest or any tender.

6. I have obeyed the rules regarding confidentiality of tenders and will continue to do so as long as they apply.

7. I can confirm that I accept that any breach of any of the conditions could lead to any tender being rejected or to the rescission of the Contract by Cheshire and Warrington LEP.

Authorised SignatoryDate Name in BLOCK LETTERS Job Title Telephone Number E-mail address

Please ensure that the form is completed and signed before being returned with any other supporting documentation requested, by the due date and time. Use the checklist to ensure that you have submitted the relevant documents.

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Appendix 2

List of contacts

Stakeholder Contact Name Job TitleContact number Contact email

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Graham PinkDirector of Place Commissioning and Commercial Management 01244 977031 graham.pink@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Charlie Seward Executive Director of Place 01244 972683 Charlie.seaward@cheshire westandchester.gov.uk Lisa Harris Director of Places Strategy 0300 123 8 123 lisa.harris@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Cheshire East Borough Council

Frank Jordan Executive Director of Place 01270 686640 Frank.jordan@cheshireeast.gov.ukChris Hindle Head of Strategic Infrastructure 07970 460686 chris.hidle@cheshireeast.gov.uk

Warrington Borough Council

Andy FarrallExecutive Director for Environment and Regeneration 01925 815772 Andy.farrall@warrington.gov.uk

Alan DickinTransport Planning and Development Control Manager 01925 442685

adickin@warrington.gov.uk

Reaseheath College Ben Hunt Head of Property 01270 613220 ben.hunt@reaseheath.ac.uk

South Cheshire College Andrew Hubert Vice Principle Corporate Services 07717 300101 andrew.hubert@scc.ac.uk

University of Chester Tim Wheeler Vice Chancellor and Principal 01244 512826 t.wheeler@chester.ac.ukDepartment for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Martin Wood Assistant Director 07876 145162 martin.wood@beis.gov.uk|

Department for TransportRichard Perry

Department for Transport: Area Lead, North and Devolution Division 07717 030876 Richard.Perry@dft.gsi.gov.uk

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Appendix 3 List of LGF projects

Project Name Main Recipient Project description Total Cost

(£)LGF Grant

(£) Status

LGF 1/2        

Sydney Road Bridge (Crewe)Cheshire East Council

Replacement of the bridge at Sydney Road with a new bridge which take two lanes of traffic, plus a pedestrian path. The new bridge will reduce congestion in the area. 10,497,000 5,850,000 Phase 1 on site

Crewe Green RoundaboutCheshire East Council

Redesign of the existing roundabout to increase capacity and reduce congestion at this pinchpoint. 7,423,000 3,300,000 On site

Chester Central (Northgate and Bus Interchange)

Cheshire West and Chester Council

The project is to create a new Bus Interchange. The old bus station site will then be freed up to form part of the £380m Northgate development which will see new retail and leisure opportunities developed. 21,000,000 13,500,000

Bus station complete. Northgate due to start in January 19

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Birchwood Pinch point

Warrington Borough Council

The scheme relates to improving access to Birchwood Park. It includes:A partial signalisation of the "dumb-bell" roundabout at the Oakwood Gate junction of Birchwood Way/Birchwood Park Avenue A bus only link connecting the Birchwood Way/Faraday Street junction with Ordnance Avenue The replacement of the Moss Gate roundabout with a higher capacity junction to eliminate traffic congestion, accessibility and road safety problems

3,620,000 2,140,000 CompleteGM & Cheshire Life Science Investment Programme

Catapult Ventures

£31m Life sciences Investment Fund. 31,982,000 10,000,000 Ongoing

Reaseheath Agri Tech CentreReaseheath College

The National Centre for Agri-tech and advanced engineering will provide general teaching areas, workshop space, specialised facilities for robotics, tractor simulation, GPS and the most advanced agricultural engineering machines associated with precision farming, meeting current and future skills needs. In addition the project will introduce robotics to the college farm and livestock management improving animal welfare, farm productivity and reducing environmental impacts.

7,000,000 2,475,000 Complete

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Reaseheath Learning Hub and Accommodation

Reaseheath College

The replacement of temporary residential units ( 180 beds) with a new 200 bed purposed built facility that will provide accommodation for approximately 320 students meeting increased demand. Addressing significant condition issues in central scientific laboratory Hub 9,980,000 3,556,000

Learning Hub complete. Accommodation due to complete by Christmas.

Reaseheath Employer Focused Hub

Reaseheath College

Construction of new lecture theatres, teaching and break out study areas of approximately 500m2 connecting the existing HE centre with the centre point building and refurbishment of the existing building approximately 337 m2 2,045,000 675,000 Complete

Reaseheath Sports Science and Performance Academy

Reaseheath College

The construction of new sports facilities to deliver all year round sports provision, wider range of activities, sports science and performance laboratories, increasing recruitment and delivering higher level skills to all sports and public service learners. It will provide essential recreational facilities for 1200 residential students and the local community. The new facilities to include a sports hall a new MUGA pitch and a new 3G pitch to Sports England specifications.

6,000,000 2,170,000 Complete

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Thornton Science Park (Chester)

University of Chester

The project is to refurbish an existing building to create an energy demonstrator. The aim of the Demonstrator is to provide a flexible platform (with office and laboratory space) for research and development, focusing on testing new and emerging technologies across all aspects of energy systems and smart grids. The initial objective is to concentrate research on emerging energy storage technologies. 16,744,000 6,800,000 Complete

M62 J8 Junction Improvements

Warrington Borough Council

The scheme involves the remodelling of the current junction to increase capacity and improve traffic flow. 11,690,000 5,000,000 Complete

Centre Park Link (Warrington)

Warrington Borough Council

The Centre Park Link comprises a new highway route into the Town Centre, providing access to developable land. This involves the construction of a new bridge structure and associated highway link. 19,350,000 5,300,000

Due to start on site in New year

Warrington West Station

Warrington Borough Council

New train Station. The new Warrington West railway station will act as a key interchange node with two main aims, improving accessibility throughout the western and northern sectors of Warrington and servicing Chapelford Urban Village, Briarswood Village, the Omega regional employment site and the neighbouring Lingley Mere employment sites. 18,415,000 6,530,000 On site

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Ellesmere Port Central Development Zone

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Development of one estate for the following services: Council, GPs, DWP, Fire, Police and Ambulance services. The new building/s will be built on the site of the existing council offices freeing up sites to be developed for housing and commercial activities. 35,000,000 8,332,000 In development

Ellesmere Port and Chester Campus remodelling

South Cheshire College

The project is to reconfigure the teaching and learning spaces at the Ellesmere Port and Chester Campuses. This is following an Ofsted report which gave the college an Inadequate grading. This was due in part, to the open design and layout of teaching spaces meant that learning is often disrupted by noise from other parts of the building. 3,500,000 3,198,000

First phase complete. Second phase due to complete by September

LGF 3

Crewe High Speed-ready Heart Town Centre Regeneration Programme

Cheshire East Council

The overall scheme is £67m and will see significant remodelling of the town centre, including the demolition and relocation of the existing bus station and the creation of a new shopping arcade. The business case put forward concentrates on the elements to be funded through LGF and the Cheshire East Council, which are, the Bus Station, new multi-story car park, public realm and reconfiguration and updating of the markets.

69,000,000 10,000,000 Approved and delivery has started

Unlocking Winsford Industrial Cheshire Infrastructure works to open up the site for 5,000,000 3,800,000 Conditional approval17

expansion Land

West and Chester Council

redevelopment to create new commercial and industrial buildings with associated jobs.

Tarvin Road (Chester)

Cheshire West and Chester Council

Improvement to the highway to hep improve traffic flow. 5,427,000 3,663,000 Conditional approval

Warrington East Highways Improvements

Warrington Borough Council

A five part scheme of traffic improvements to open up development sites and improve traffic flow. 13,500,000 6,900,000 Conditional approval

Omega Local Highways Schemes phase 2 (Birchwood)

Warrington Borough Council

Highway improvements. Scheme options currently being developed. 6,465,000 4,300,000 In development

Skills TBDSkills strategy to be developed before projects defined. 5,000,000 5,000,000 In development

Energy Innovation TBDEnergy strategy being developed before projects are defined. 4,151,070 4,151,070 In development

Poynton Relief RoadCheshire East Council

See below. This project is due to have funding directly from the LEP and from the LEP's allocation via DfT as below 5,600,000

Joint Cheshire and Warrington Sustainable Travel Access Fund TBD

Call out for projects. Projects will need to show that they reduce traffic and increase use of sustainable travel. Examples includes, cycleways and greenways. 7,750,000 5,000,000

Programme of projects approved. First business cases for individual projects expected in August.

Total 320,539,070 127,240,070

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Major Transport Schemes - These will be contracted by DfT if approved.

Poynton Relief RoadCheshire East Council

Poynton Relief Road is a proposed 3km single carriageway road scheme to the west of Poynton with the primary aims of relieving village centre congestion and regenerating the north of the borough. 38,000,000 16,400,000 In development

Middlewich BypassCheshire East Council

To deliver a highway scheme which functions as a proper By-Pass to deliver the traffic solution for Middlewich and all the Council's requirements 58,483,982 46,780,000 In development

Congleton Link RoadCheshire East Council

A new 3.5 mile road for Congleton to reduce congestion and support town centre regeneration. The Congleton Link Road would join the A534 Sandbach Road (to West of Congleton) with the A536 Macclesfield Road (to the North of the town). 90,743,268 45,000,000

FBC sent to DfT for approval

A500 dualingCheshire East Council

Dualing the A500 from m6 j16 to Meremoss roundabout 57,000,000 45,000,000 In development

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