High quality contractors and suppliers have been invited to tender their services for up to £200 million in major capital projects, following the publication of Westmorland and Furness Council’s Capital Works Framework (2024-2028).

The construction work projects commissioned from the framework are expected to include highway maintenance and improvement schemes, schools and corporate property maintenance and improvement works, new build highways and property schemes and economic development and regeneration projects.

Any contracts will adhere to current statutory and best practice requirements, ensuring all council assets are safe and legal.  Specific commitments will also be included to reduce carbon in the supply chain, which may include mandatory carbon reporting and calculators for all construction projects.

The current framework which ends in January 2024, has been successful with a range of projects undertaken from school and care home construction and refurbishment to civil engineering works including highway and flood defence infrastructure, with projects ranging from £100,000 to over £10million in value.

There will be opportunities for smaller and medium sized companies to tender for work, as the Council’s intention is that lower value works may be delivered by SMEs and smaller construction firms whereas the higher value contracts will be delivered by larger contractors with wider capabilities.

Cllr Peter Thornton, Westmorland and Furness Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Assets, said:

“Proper development and maintenance of our assets is vital, both to allow them to function effectively and also to save council taxpayers money in the long run.

This is a significant investment over the next four years that will have an impact on the Westmorland and Furness economy through job creation, training and development opportunities and supporting the local supply chain.

The emphasis on decarbonisation means the green credentials of any successful supplier must be aligned with our own carbon reduction objectives, as we work towards becoming Net Zero over the next two decades.”

For any construction firms interested in submitting a tender bid, please go to the Find a Tender website for further details. Applications close 1 December 2023.