Issue - meetings

Members considered the report that was asking Cabinet to agree to the appointment of Mears Group as design and delivery partner for the Tower Block Refurbishment programme via a direct award, using a procurement framework. This contract would provide for the full delivery of a £17 million refurbishment and retrofit programme to 5 of the Council's tower blocks.

These works would:

• Improve fire safety with the replacement of the External Wall insulation and fire doors in the blocks;
• Improve structural safety by carrying out any concrete repairs required;
• Improve energy efficiency with a number of proposed retrofit measures including replacing windows and heating;
• Improving the condition of the blocks through cyclical works that include decoration to internal areas, repair, decorate or replace flooring and refurbishment of balconies.

This procurement strategy was the preferred route to market to safeguard the council’s eligibility for the funding opportunities available through the Building safety Fund and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. For both of these external funding pots, the speed of delivery was important. The Council had already secured funding of £1.7 million from the government’s Building Safety Fund for pre tender works and expected to be awarded the full costs of replacing the external wall insulation. The Council also submitted a  bid for £4.25 million from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund for energy efficiency improvements.

This funding could cover up to 70% of the value of the project, thus providing great financial benefit to the council, to tenants and to leaseholders, who would otherwise face larger contributions towards the costs of work through their service charges. The Council expected to hear the outcome of the bid to the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund during March, and if successful the Council would be able to return a corresponding amount from the approved capital programme to the HRA Major Repairs Reserve for investment in future projects to improve the council’s housing stock.

Councillor Jill Bayford proposed, Councillor Saunders seconded and Cabinet agreed to:

1. Approve the appointment of Mears Group PLC as design and delivery partner via direct award using the Prosper framework;

2.  Approve the appointment of the in-house delivery team, as detailed in annex 1 (to the cabinet report).

Speaking under Council Procedure Rule 20.1 Councillor Whitehead said that the refurbishment works was a huge and necessary undertaking and thanks officers for putting together the refurbishment programme.

Sally O’Sullivan introduced the report and made the following comments:

·  Officers were working on the refurbishment programme to deliver works worth £17million;

·  This programme would improve energy efficiency of the buildings to be covered under the refurbishment programme;

·  This would cover the replacement of windows as well;

·  These works needed to be carried out once as a whole in order to minimise the inconveniences caused to residents.

Members asked questions and made comments as follows:

·  Members thanked officers for sourcing the funding for this programme;

·  One Member asked if home owners and tenants would be contributing to the costs for the refurbishment in Harbour Towers;

·  They further asked if there would be any consideration for the elderly home owners and tenants;

·  Another Member asked why Brunswick Towers had not been made part of the refurbishment programme;

·  Would there be any penalties for Mears if they don not deliver on time?

·  This was a very exciting piece of work. What were the deadlines for completing this programme?

·  How could Members keep an eye on the programme implementation to monitor progress?

·  When was the funding expecting to be distributed to the Council?

·  Did the contract have a retainer clause?

In response to Member comments and questions, Sally O’Sullivan made the following comments:

·  The programme was a 70% grant funding and there would be some payment by tenants and home owners for the unfunded part;

·  The payment contributions by the tenants and home owners would be capped;

·  How the residents would pay would be determined by Cabinet and it would be on a case by case basis and on an agreed payment plan;

·  Brunswick Court did not need external wall insulation whilst the other five tower blocks had similar refurbishment requirements;

·  Brunswick Court would be considered under the Social Decarbonisation Fund which would be coming soon;

·  Mears were aware of the reputational damage if they did not complete the programme works on time;

·  The programme was supposed to be delivered in twenty four months with two months overlay after which after which the Council would be required to return any funding if unused;

·  There was a one year period to make sure any defects found with the works should be fixed.

Councillor Jill Bayford, Cabinet Member for Housing thanked officers for work done to put together the refurbishment programme and for the clear and detailed report.

Members noted the report.