500 signatures reached
To: The Mayor and council of Bristol
We need an inquiry into the costs of refurbishing Bristol Beacon
The cost of refurbishing Bristol Beacon (previously Colston Hall) has escalated to almost three times the original budget of £48.8m, and the latest estimate is £132m. The business plan appears to have been badly set up, managed and implemented, and there is a possibility that the costs could increase further.
We, the undersigned, demand an independent inquiry into the creation, implementation and management of the contract to refurbish Bristol Beacon.
We, the undersigned, demand an independent inquiry into the creation, implementation and management of the contract to refurbish Bristol Beacon.
Why is this important?
2016: At its first Cabinet meeting after coming to power, the current administration authorised a £1.6m investment in Colston Hall Phase II to enable the preparation and submission of a detailed planning application.
2017: A Cabinet paper was tabled indicating a refurbishment budget of £48.8m
2018: A Cabinet paper delegated authority to officers to appoint the contractor(s) for the redevelopment work, subject to development of the RIBA work packages ensuring that renovation works remained within the total maximum project envelope of £48.8m. This figure was subsequently revised upwards to £52.4m, with the additional amount being met by an increased contribution from the West of England combined authority.
2021: A revised total capital investment budget was set at £106.9m
2022: A Cabinet paper stated the costs had risen to £131.9m. However, a due diligence report indicated costs may increase further and completion could be delayed.
Grant Thornton, the external auditor, have said that Bristol City Council "underestimated the complexity and difficulty" of the work and failed to have "effective arrangements" in place. Grant Thornton have since identified managing the risks associated with the Bristol Beacon as a significant Value For Money weakness.
An independent review is needed covering the period from 2016, when the current administration authorised funds for the preparation and submission of a detailed planning application, through the various stages at which costs to the Council have escalated, to (hopefully) the completion of the project.
It is important that lessons are learned and recommendations made for drafting, monitoring and implementing future contracts.
Sources:
Appendix A3 - Timeline 2000-2018.pdf (bristol.gov.uk)
05012022 Assurance Report_Rev 01 - Confidential information highlighted (bristol.gov.uk)
Bristol Beacon Jan 23 Decision Pathway Report Final.pdf
Bristol Beacon refurb cost spirals by another £25 million (thebristolcable.org)
2017: A Cabinet paper was tabled indicating a refurbishment budget of £48.8m
2018: A Cabinet paper delegated authority to officers to appoint the contractor(s) for the redevelopment work, subject to development of the RIBA work packages ensuring that renovation works remained within the total maximum project envelope of £48.8m. This figure was subsequently revised upwards to £52.4m, with the additional amount being met by an increased contribution from the West of England combined authority.
2021: A revised total capital investment budget was set at £106.9m
2022: A Cabinet paper stated the costs had risen to £131.9m. However, a due diligence report indicated costs may increase further and completion could be delayed.
Grant Thornton, the external auditor, have said that Bristol City Council "underestimated the complexity and difficulty" of the work and failed to have "effective arrangements" in place. Grant Thornton have since identified managing the risks associated with the Bristol Beacon as a significant Value For Money weakness.
An independent review is needed covering the period from 2016, when the current administration authorised funds for the preparation and submission of a detailed planning application, through the various stages at which costs to the Council have escalated, to (hopefully) the completion of the project.
It is important that lessons are learned and recommendations made for drafting, monitoring and implementing future contracts.
Sources:
Appendix A3 - Timeline 2000-2018.pdf (bristol.gov.uk)
05012022 Assurance Report_Rev 01 - Confidential information highlighted (bristol.gov.uk)
Bristol Beacon Jan 23 Decision Pathway Report Final.pdf
Bristol Beacon refurb cost spirals by another £25 million (thebristolcable.org)
