New Assembly Building

I am now in the position to provide the Assembly with an update on budgets for the New Assembly Building.

The latest forecast construction out-turn for the Taylor Woodrow contract is £41.501m (excl VAT). This takes account of 30 contract variations since construction re-commenced in August 2003. 10 of these have arisen from value engineering opportunities, resulting in cost savings; 14 are cost neutral enhancements. The remaining variations have arisen from further detailed design work over the clarification of ICT infrastructure requirements and the associated costs of the builders work in connection which could not be anticipated earlier since the Merlin tender process had not been completed. The other changes relate to further security enhancements incorporated on the advice of the Government Security Service.

I have agreed in consultation with the Policy Steering Group budgets for provision of ICT and Media equipment, Loose Furniture and Art as follows:

ICT & Media equipment £6.7m (including VAT)
Loose Furniture £1.6m (including VAT)
Art £0.3m (including VAT)

The remaining costs outside the lump-sum contract relate to professional fees and these are provisionally estimated at £2.2m (incl VAT).