Agenda item

Cabinet discussed proposals for the tower block refurbishment and retrofit programme that would see transformational works to five of the tower blocks owned by Thanet district council. Some of the work being carried out was essential for health and safety. For example, the replacement of the external wall insulation. The increased scope of this project was due to the discovery of essential fire safety works, which had contributed to the additional costs.

Most of the increased cost was due to the external wall system remediation. A more expensive system had been chosen for its improved fire rating, reduced ongoing maintenance requirement and increased durability. The cost of this would be fully funded by Homes England. These works were non-negotiable and the Building Safety Regulator would not give approval for the project without addressing these issues. Once the health and safety works were completed, the waking watch could step down. The waking watch had been posted at each tower to mitigate the fire risk. This would mean the HRA revenue account could move from deficit to surplus.

Other works would ensure the buildings were fit for purpose into the future, for example the replacement of windows and the roof. It was recognised that costs may be a challenge for some leaseholders, but they would benefit from the improvements to their homes, which would include the energy efficiency measures that will contribute to lower energy consumption. During this project, there had been a lot of consultation with residents, for example, the consultation to choose the colour and design for the outside of the towers. At key stages in the project, there had been face-to-face events at the blocks so residents had an opportunity to speak to council officers, architects, contractors and consultants.

The two Resident Liaison Officers held a large estate presence and were on hand to answer questions. There was a new High Rise Living resident group that met once a quarter. At these meetings they discuss issues regarding building safety but this was also a forum to discuss concerns regarding the project.

Finally, much of this project was externally funded. The Building Safety fund was provided to resolve safety issues with cladding in buildings over 18 meters and would fund 100% of the cost of the work to remediate the external wall system. £4.2 million had been awarded from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which was in place to address energy efficiency measures in the blocks. It was the award of the funding that made this programme of work affordable to the council, which would ultimately provide cost efficiencies when completed, as the Council should not have to carry out scaffold dependent cyclical works, like window replacement or balcony refurbishment for 30-40 years.

Councillor Bayford spoke under Council Procedure Rule 20.1.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, Councillor Yates seconded and Cabinet agreed the following:

1.  An increase in the scope of the project to include emergency health and safety work;

2.  Note the increase in the value of the overall project, in line with the approved capital programme;

3.  The letting of a Design and Build contract with Mears Ltd to deliver the main Tower Block Refurbishment and Retrofit Programme, as set out in the Cabinet report.