Recommendation 34

The National Audit Office highlighted that the Weybridge redevelopment programme will have a range of contracts covering professional services and construction.62 The Department recognised the challenges of integrating a large number of suppliers and it told us that it has looked to learn lessons from the commercial aspects of other programmes we have reported on such as Crossrail. The Department said that there is a balance between getting the best-in-class suppliers whilst ensuring it does not end up with overly complex contractual arrangements. It said that it is looking to reduce the number of contracts 57 C&AG’s Report, paragraph 23 58 C&AG’s Report, paragraph 3.2 59 Q 1 60 C&AG’s Report, paragraphs 3.13–3.14 61 Q 1 62 C&AG’s Report, paragraph 3.15 18 Redevelopment of Defra’s animal health infrastructure where possible, but there will be areas where it might be preferable to split contracts. It cited the main science hub construction as an example where it is looking at separate contracts for the animal science and non-animal science elements of the construction.63