APPENDIX 2
Memorandum submitted by English Partnerships
INTRODUCTION
1. English Partnerships' role at Greenwich
Peninsula is to deliver the platform for the development of the
Dome and related activities; to secure the long-term regeneration
of the whole of the site; and (at the Government's specific request)
to manage the competition (in collaboration with NMEC) to secure
a long-term use for the Dome. The Agency has previously submitted
written memoranda to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee's
earlier enquiries into the Millennium Experience and Dome in December
1997, June 1998 and February 1999.
2. This memorandum provides the Committee
with an update on the progress of the competition to determine
the Dome's future use. It should be read in conjunction with memoranda
from DETR, DCMS and NMEC. A further update will be provided, on
an "In confidence" basis, nearer the time of the Committee's
hearing, by which time more detailed information will be available
on bidders' outline proposals.
THE DOME
LEGACY COMPETITION
3. The Government's response to the Select
Committee's last report, published in June 1999, contained an
update on progress with the competition up to late May.
4. At that time, 22 consortia or individual
organisations, involving a total of 91 organisations, had registered
their wish to participate in the competition. The criteria for
selecting those that should be invited to go forward to the next
stage, involving submission of outline proposals, were contained
in the Preliminary Information Memorandum (PIM—previously
copied to the Select Committee) which had been issued to all 22
consortia or individual organisations. These criteria were focused
on the capability and track record of the organisations and their
ability to fund the costs involved in putting forward proposals.
At this stage they were not being judged on the merits of their
proposals, which in most cases were at a very early stage of development.
5. The 22 submissions were analysed by the
Competition Management Team, led by English Partnerships together
with NMEC with assistance from their jointly appointed professional
advisors. Following further clarification requested from some
participants, 12 were judged to qualify for inclusion in the next
stage of the competition.
6. The proposed short-list of 12 was examined
and approved by special sub-committees of EP's and NMEC's Boards,
whose terms of reference were agreed with Ministers. In giving
approval they also concluded that the door should not yet be totally
closed to new entrants which could qualify through the same criteria
as applied to the 12, given the importance of securing the best
possible proposals and the growing international awareness of
the Dome.
7. The full Boards of EP and NMEC endorsed
these conclusions, which were subsequently submitted to Ministers,
receiving their approval on 10 August.
8. In parallel with the consideration of
the short-list, the Competition Management Team produced a full
Information Memorandum (IM) for issue to, and guidance for, the
selected bidders, backed up by a Data Room containing all relevant
original documentation likely to be needed by bidders in formulating
their proposals. The IM also indicates possible categories of
use to which the Dome might be put, although this is based mainly
on discussions with bidders during the competition process so
far. The Government has stressed that no use is ruled out at this
stage. The winning submission will of course be subject to the
normal planning requirements, which will involve consideration
by the London Borough of Greenwich in the first instance.
9. Both the identities of the 12 selected
bidders and copies of the IM have been sent in confidence to the
Members of the Select Committee. As is normal at this stage of
a competition the identity of bidders remains confidential in
order to encourage the maximum number of carefully considered
proposals. The IM is also regarded as confidential since it contains
information which is commercially sensitive. Some sections describe
the evaluation criteria adopted by Ministers following input from
locally based organisations in Greenwich and East London. These
sections have been given wider circulation through these organisations.
10. The input to evaluation criteria referred
to above was gathered through meetings with the London Borough
of Greenwich, the Greenwich Waterfront Partnership, the Greenwich
Millennium Trust and the Thames Gateway London Partnership. Each
organisation was given information about the process and programme
for the competition and the overall objectives articulated by
Ministers. Their opinions were invited about the key issues which
they considered should be given priority in setting more detailed
objectives for evaluation of proposals. Their views were taken
into account in formulating the evaluation criteria contained
in the IM.
11. Since 10 August, the 12 selected bidders
have been invited to submit proposals, in keeping with the requirements
contained in the IM, by 29 October. In order to assist and encourage
them in putting forward their proposals, they have all been invited
to meet with the Competition Management Team, and with members
of the EP/NMEC Board sub-committees.
12. Those 10 organisations not selected
for the short list have been invited to have their identities/expertise/ideas
made known to the 12 short-listed bidders.
Also, other organisations which had previously
expressed some interest, but who did not respond formally to the
PIM, have been contacted again to see if they can participate
in support of any of the 12, or in their own right. Every encouragement
is being given to each bidder to come forward with their best
proposal. The Competition Management Team is also ensuring that
each one has access to the same information, and that the same
timetable applies equally to all bidders or potential bidders.
NEXT STEPS
13. Bidders have been informed that in order
to qualify for the final stage of the competition next year, their
outline proposals will need to be both world-class and commercially
sound. Proposals will need to be worthy of the Dome's status as
a national icon and reflect the importance of the site for the
continuing regeneration of the Greenwich Peninsula and the Thames
Gateway. Bidders are also reminded that within that context, final
proposals will be judged by the full set of evaluation criteria
contained in the IM.
14. The IM also describes the nature of
material required in outline proposals by 29 October. This is
intended to provide enough substance to enable sound judgements
on the selection of the final shortlist, without putting the 12
consortia to unnecessarily large expense at this stage which might
discourage their participation.
15. Both the London Borough of Greenwich
and the groups mentioned in paragraph 10 will be given the opportunity
during November to see and comment on outline proposals. Material
for this purpose will be produced by the bidders in a common format
which retains their anonymity.
16. Subsequent stages of the competition
depend in part on the success of each preceding stage. It is envisaged
that a preferred bidder should be identified in June 2000 with
all contractual items agreed during the autumn of that year.
October 1999
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