Issue - meetings

Cabinet considered the report on the procurement of fire safety works for its housing stock. The safety of council tenants was an important priority for the council. The council owns approximately 3,400 tenanted and leasehold homes. The works included passive fire safety works, including fire doors and fire stopping and the installation of fire alarms, fire detection and smoke ventilations at Harbour Towers, Trove Court, Kennedy House, Brunswick Court and Staner Court.

Similar works had been completed at Invicta House in Margate and had been recognised by the Kent Fire & Rescue Service as best practice. The intention was to replicate these best practice works in all of the council’s tower blocks to honour the council’s commitment as a landlord given to the council tenants.

All costs, investment and income for these homes was managed through the council’s Housing Revenue Account, and budgets for revenue and capital works were reviewed annually. In addition to the annual review of revenue and capital budgets, key decisions were also required for approval by Cabinet for any expenditure that is for:

i.  Works or services that exceed £250,000, or

ii.  A contract over a number of years with an expected value in excess of £750,000. The letting of the contracts detailed in this report are therefore considered to be key decisions.

The awarding of the contracts detailed in the Cabinet report was therefore considered to be key decisions which had to be taken at a Cabinet meeting. Works are anticipated to start on site during 2020/21 and take around four months to complete.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, Councillor Everitt seconded and Cabinet authorised:

1.  The letting of the contract for the completion of passive fire safety works, as detailed in the Cabinet report;

2.  The letting of the contract for the renewal of fire alarms, detection equipment and smoke ventilation as detailed in the report.