Issue - meetings

The Cabinet Member considered the exempt information.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny has been informed that it was impracticable to give 28 days’ notice of the decision. The Wood Green Library project is combining two separate, small projects into a single piece of work. This is due to practicalities, safety, and value for money considerations. It is impracticable to give 28 days’ notice because delay to the work on the 3rdfloor of Wood Green Library would have a knock-on impact on the council’s accommodation programme which, in turn, would lead to higher costs.

Given the above, it is not practicable to comply with the 28-day notice requirement in Part Four, Section D, Rule 13 of the constitution. This is set out in Part Four, Section D, Rule 16, of the Constitution.

The Chair of Overview and Scrutiny has been informed that it was impracticable to give 28 days’ notice of the decision. The Wood Green Library project is combining two separate, small projects into a single piece of work. This is due to practicalities, safety, and value for money considerations. It is impracticable to give 28 days’ notice because delay to the work on the 3^rd floor of Wood Green Library would have a knock-on impact on the council’s accommodation programme which, in turn, would lead to higher costs.

Given the above, it is not practicable to comply with the 28-day notice requirement in Part Four, Section D, Rule 13 of the constitution. This is set out in Part Four, Section D, Rule 16, of the Constitution.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation considered the report which sought approval to award a contract for the 2nd& 3rd floor office and Mechanical & Electrical refurbishment at Wood Green Library to improve the office and service provision facilities for Haringey Works on the 2ndfloor; and to enable the interim relocation of departments currently occupying Alexandra House to the 3rdfloor.

It was noted that a number of services operated in Wood Green Library and that this included the Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children, and Families, Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Welfare, and the Public Realm, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills, and Corporate Services, and Cabinet Member for House Building, Placemaking and Development. It was confirmed that the Cabinet Members had been informed and did not have any concerns about the proposals.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

1.    In accordance with Contract Standing Order 16.02, to approve the award of the Contract for works at Wood Green Library to Contractor A for the contract sum of £539,603.18 excluding VAT.

2.    To approve the contingency sum as set out in the exempt section of this report (Part B).

Reasons for decision

To improve the Employment and Skills offer, creating a flagship service for vulnerable resident

The Employment and Skills Recovery Action Plan identified that the current Haringey Works Hub in Wood Green Library was unfit for purpose for a flagship service working with vulnerable residents. This proposal will create private interview rooms, a space for delivering group sessions and a welcoming more environment with improved equipment and facilities.

The proposed improvements to the Haringey Works Hub would provide a professional and welcoming base where residents can have private one to one meetings with their employment advisor or finalise employment checks if they are joining the Temp Recruitment talent pool, a space to carry out job search with support of the team, and to participate in group employability and upskilling workshops.

Heating and ventilation improvements for library users

This package of works includes some improvements to the heating and ventilation systems and associated control systems. This will resolve some longstanding problems with ensuring the library is kept at a comfortable temperature for staff and visitors alike.

It will also deliver financial savings and environmental benefits by reducing energy consumption.

To deliver the Council’s Accommodation strategy objectives

In November 2021, Cabinet approved a proposal to refurbish Alexandra House and 48 Station Road, and to tender the associated works packages. The report set out that, in addition to the appointment of a main contractor, it would be necessary to undertake some of the works at an earlier stage.

To support the delivery of the Accommodation programme, it is intended to relocate the Council’s Digital Contact Centre from Alexandra House to the 3rd floor of Wood Green Library.

The relocation of the Digital Contact Centre to Wood Green Library is an interim arrangement to allow the realisation of the wider consolidation of the Council’s core office accommodation into Alex House and 48 Station Road.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 132