Multi-disciplinary consultant partnership – West Sussex County Council

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West Sussex County Council (WSCC) has a substantial estate, supporting the facilities and services that local communities depend upon. The council were keen to improve value and efficiency across the estate, procuring suppliers in a timely manner, efficiently delivering the targeted projects and using the budget appropriately each year.

In 2018 WSCC entered a five-year multi-disciplinary consultant (MDC) partnership agreement with AtkinsRéalis, under the Crown Commercial Services Framework. The c.£512m program covers the design, construction and maintenance of a variety of capital assets, typically commissioning 80-100 projects a year. Workstreams include asset management, education, One Public Estate, PropCo, and civic & community facilities.

In a pioneering collaborative approach, we have jointly realized the reshaping of cultural behaviors and the development of transparency, strong communication and trust between our teams. Both teams share space within the council offices, engendering a sense of one combined workforce.

Three key initiatives have supported the implementation of efficient delivery: a procurement strategy which identifies optimum methodologies (tailored to different project types and values); a collaborative working handbook, and a standard set of employer’s requirements. All three are eliciting positive results, defining governance processes and internal procedures for a project from start to finish.

Benefits include increased operational and technical capacity, continuous process improvement, improved governance, better reporting processes, and a one-team approach that creates a shared sense of pride and achievement.

Now in its fourth year, the MDC consistently meets the contract’s KPIs; this includes 92 per cent of projects delivered on program. WSCC now has robust strategic oversight and excellent program planning methodologies, through adopting practices within the government’s Construction Playbook.

The service continues to evolve in line with WSCC’s priorities. For example, we are now supporting the plans for the decarbonization of existing and new build schools and corporate estate. All project planning takes account of the council’s aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

By taking full advantage of the technical expertise and sizable resources made available to them through this partnership, WSCC can deliver more projects and have a greater impact on the lives of the residents of West Sussex.

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92 %
of projects delivered on program
£ 3.9 m
total saving on WSCC staff time over 5 years
95 %
of MDC supply chain made up of SMEs

The MDC provides an efficient and effective route to a broad range of skilled technical expertise supporting WSCC in the delivery of the wide range of projects that make up the capital program. Having the MDC based in the office has achieved direct communication, thereby encouraging and enabling a greater understanding of WSCC’s delivery objectives, processes and procedures. This has allowed a strong partnership to develop, ensuring we work together in a consistent delivery approach, to WSCC’s benefit.

Philippa Hind

Head of Development, West Sussex County Council

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