Decision details

It is recommended that:

The Head of Housing Development approves award of a contract to Joule Group International Ltd in accordance with CSO 11.01 and 11.02 for the amount of £24,985+VAT, to carry out Fire Design Guardian services on housing scheme Sir Frederick Messer Estate N15 6NP

This appointment will support the ongoing design development and construction of cabinet approved housing scheme.

The Sir Frederick Messer Estate housing scheme has received cabinet approval by Haringey Council to deliver 66 new Council homes .
Following a procurement exercise (direct award), Joule Group International Ltd are to be appointed as lead Fire Design Consultants, providing design related services for this scheme, appointed in accordance with CSO 11.01 and 11.02.
To support a successful design and construction, the Council requires a Fire Design Consultant to work client side to ensure design and construction of the scheme accords with all relevant building safety regulations considered necessary by the Council, as well as relevant planning and building control laws – ensuring the scheme has been rigorously reviewed by an independent Fire Safety specialist.
Here, work includes stage four fire strategy review; review contractor’s strategies for fire compliance against fire strategy report and undertake construction stage site inspections.
Joule Group Limited have existing knowledge of Haringey Council working practices, having previously advised as fire design guardian on a range of Haringey Council housing schemes.

The Council could have run a competitive tender to identify a consultant for these services. However, this option would have elongated the procurement and appointment exercise, at a time when the works contractor is progressing with stage four designs. Resulting in potential risk to abortive design work.
The Council could decide not to appoint a Fire Design Consultant. However, this option would increase the Council’s compliance risk from either a building control or fire safety perspective, when reviewed by relevant internal Haringey Council teams.