The Manchester City Council-based procurement body has rung the changes after receiving 20 bids with the number of partner firms for the new £1.5bn framework deal cut from 11 to eight.

Big names like Balfour Beatty, Laing O’Rourke, Graham and Wates are out. In their place Sir Robert McAlpine, Morgan Sindall and Russells secure places for the first time.

The procurement body aims to adopt the principles of partnering through the development of longer term relationships through the supply chain, integrated design and construction teams, shared risk/rewards and performance management.

The framework is intended to be used by Manchester City Council and other North West local authorities.

Other bodies may enter into individual call-off contracts from the panels of firms.

Jared Allen, director of Capital Programmes for Manchester City Council & Chair of NWCH Board, said: “The procurement process is always a very rigorous process ensuring quality and cost-effective frameworks that comply with procurement rules, focusing on achieving best value for its clients and projects.

“We are aware that a number of clients eagerly await the news to kick start many of their projects.“