To approve the direct commissioning of David Hills, Director of DSDHA, a specialist in urban design to support the High Street Accelerator (HSA) Seed Funding and Green Space Funding Projects. This will ensure that the HSA Partnership can achieve maximum impact for the area.
David Hills was initially recommended to the High Street Accelerator (HSA) Partnership by the HSA Team within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) as part of their package of free support and has already met with the partnership, carried out site visits and provided advice during the early stages of the funding.
This commission will ensure consistency and will build on existing knowledge of the green space projects and seed funding projects while delivering maximum impact for the community and aligning with the Capital Regeneration Project regarding public realm being delivered by Essex County Council.
Further to this the HSA has a critical deadline for the funding to be committed by 30 June 2025, which will be challenging with the green space projects if a full procurement exercise is carried out and would add a greater level of risk which may require the funding to be returned to MHCLG
This Decision makes a direct award to David Hills to enable support to maximise the offer to High Street Accelerator Partnership and the greater community