Modernisation of Elizabeth House

Following Stratford-on-Avon District Council's Executive's meeting on Monday 2 October, which contained a report and minutes from the previous Executive on the Elizabeth House Refurbishment Project, the District Council would like to issue the following statement:  

"There are standard terms in building contracts that allow a contractor to claim additional payments in certain circumstances. For example, these include additional work, and delays not attributable to the contractor," says Paul Lankester, Chief Executive.

"It is not unusual for the contractor and client to disagree over contractor's claims in this regard and there is a process called adjudication that allows such a dispute to be considered by a neutral and expert third party.

"The District Council is disputing a claim for additional payment, on the advice of the project managers and architects that were employed by the council to run this contract. 

"The whole modernisation project is subject to a confidential review report for Members looking at the way contracts are set up, tender evaluations and changes to how contracts are funded together with a number of other legal processes that the District Council can't currently disclose, but will do as soon as they are known.

"We are not expecting a decision in respect of the adjudication until mid November."