CONTRACT ALREADY SEEN AS 'FINANCIAL RISK' FOR COUNCIL

PLYMOUTH City Council is to pay city centre masterplanners nearly £1 million in what has been recognised as a "financial risk" for the authority.

- By WILLIAM TELFORD

Council chiefs this month appointed “global placemaking experts” WSP to come up with a plan on how underused areas of the city centre can accommodate 10,000 new homes.

Documents show that WSP UK Ltd will be paid £919,687 to prepare “a development framework, masterplan and associated documents in respect of Plymouth city centre and the delivery of housing”.

The decision to pay the company was taken by a single council officer acting under delegated powers, but chief executive Tracey Lee and three senior Labour councillors - council leader Tudor Evans, his deputy Jemima Laing and finance chief Mark Lowry - were all consulted.

The cash to pay for the City Living Framework contract is partly covered by a grant of £540,000 from Homes England and The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) this financial year.