Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Placemaking and Housing. To be introduced by the Cabinet Member for Placemaking & Local Economy.

This report will sign off the final business case for the Civic Centre, following the procurement of the main contractor. It will outline the programme going forward and key project milestones.

The Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy introduced the report which sought approval of an award in principle of the main construction contract at a fixed and maximum price for restoration and refurbishment of the Haringey Civic Centre, and its expansion through the addition of an annex building.

The Cabinet were reminded of the complexity of the project, which involves restoration of a Grade II listed building and the provision of a new build annex building; the Council had followed a two-stage procurement which involved completion of a PCSA. The award of a PCSA allowed the Council and the contractor to work proactively to mitigate project risks, continue the detailed design elements and identify efficiencies within the current design and programme to maximise the benefits to the Council.

Upon conclusion of the PCSA period (on 29 November 2024) and with greater understanding of the existing building’s risks and their transfer to the main contractor, this report and recommendations were able to be put forward.

It was further noted that the report also included a refreshed presentation of the final business case, which had been fully considered at each key stage of this project by Cabinet, as part of a strong governance model. The final business case, with its revised information concluded that the refurbishing of the existing Civic Centre, and its expansion through the addition of an annex building, continued to be the option that offered the best value for money to the Council, whilst also best meeting its strategic objectives.

The Cabinet Member further highlighted the benefits of this project and consultation activities:

-       A functional civic hub that will provide high quality office accommodation for staff alongside excellent community facilities in a modern energy efficient space.

-       Free up the current office accommodation along Station Road in Wood Green for alternative uses that have the potential to create significant additional income to the council; and support the continued growth and development of our town centre.  

-       Councillors have played a role in developing the design that was submitted to the Planning Committee through the Civic Centre Members Forum.

-       The Civic Centre Members Forum has enabled cross-party review of design proposals, including the design of key democratic areas like the council chamber; and the on-going monitoring of the project’s development.

-       Positive feedback from residents. The Council held multiple in-person and online engagement events. These events gave residents the opportunity to learn about the proposed design for the Civic Centre and shared plans of its future use and dialogue with residents will continue.

In response to questions from Cllr Connor, the following information was noted:

-       Regarding maintaining the fixed price for the development and refurbishment, the whole procurement had been based on transparency of risk. So, the risk elements had been factored and was also part of the pre services contract agreement with Sisk. Therefore, the Council was in strong position to keep the contractor to the terms of the contract both in relation to completion  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63