The cost of providing security for Liverpool’s two weeks of Eurovision events has more than doubled.
A contract was awarded to FGH Security Limited on December 1 last year by Liverpool Council for the security provision for the duration of the song contest to be held across the Pier Head and ACC Liverpool next month. According to documents made public by the local authority, the cost has increased by an additional £225,000.
The original terms were agreed at a fee of £140,000 four months ago. An urgent decision notice said on March 31, Theresa Grant, interim chief executive, signed off on agreements to finalise a new contract worth £365,000.
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The documents said: “The security regime (in line with the policing plan) has changed, as has the programme for the village. Both of these elements have required a review of the security plan and therefore increased these costs.”
Funding for the additional security services has been made available by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) grant money. The report added: “This contract is funded by funding received to deliver the overall event which includes money provided to the council by DCMS, Business Improvement District and commercial income.
“The total value of the contract falls within the budget allocation for Eurovision.” In terms of alternative options, Liverpool Council another procurement exercise could be undertaken to award a separate contract, but was not selected due to the “urgency of the project.”
The report added: “Potentially introducing another provider at this stage could also add unwanted complexity and risk to the operation. The time scales for Eurovision does not allow a full new procurement process to take place.
“FGH are now integral to the Security plan between Merseyside Police and Liverpool Council. Another security provider being appointed at this time would be viewed as a risk to the security planning due to time constraints.”
Liverpool Council is the accountable body for this funding and therefore is responsible for any risk of clawback, if the grant conditions are not met by reason of the non-delivery of the contract. The delay and short time frame means there is a risk of non-delivery of this project.
Payment in phases has mitigated some of the financial risk, according to the local authority. Alongside private sector investment, Liverpool Council has handed out contracts worth around £330,000 for a number of services towards the event.
More than £77,000 has been spent on the provision of toilets while a further £82,000 has gone towards a PA system for the fan village on the Pier Head according to the city’s online register of contracts.
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