To ensure the ongoing provision of Contract and Procurement Legal support within the Project Delivery Unit, supporting the delivery of the Local Regeneration Fund (LRF, formerly LUF), Capital Regeneration Projects (CRP1) and Community Regeneration Partnership (CRP2) programmes.
The July 2024 Cabinet report set out the proposals and funding for the Project Delivery Unit. The Unit will provide the capacity for the organisation to delivery major projects and capital schemes, including those funded by Government. Cabinet allocated funding to appoint staff to the Project Delivery Unit on a fixed term basis for up to two years.
Fixed term posts that require very significant skills and experience can be challenging to recruit to. As a result it was decided to seek a Contract Lawyer on a consultancy basis, using the same size budget allocated to the recruitment of the post.
The Contract Lawyer was originally appointed via the Essex Temporary Worker framework in February 2025, with an extension in May 2025, by TDC Legal

To extend the appointment of the Contract Lawyer (locum) via the Essex Temporary Worker Framework in order to complete the tasks as set out in the proposal for the work for a period of 6 months, through to 26 March 2026.

The cost associated with the above to be £65,800, to be funded from the Project Delivery Unit budget.

Not to extend appointment and to recruit to refill post - Recruitment exercises for other posts attached to the PDU in recent months demonstrate the challenges in recruiting to specialist posts of this nature. These recruitment exercises also take substantial time, without the guarantee of success. The projects managed by the post are at a critical stage and thus active Contract Law input is critical to ensure success, and continuity from the postholder offers substantial benefit to the Council.
Direct Employment: While ideal, recruiting high-quality professionals for fixed-term positions in Tendring is challenging due to the existing salary structure.
Not to extend appointment and not to refill post – This is an essential post for the delivery of the projects.