Issue - meetings

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS ITEM:

None

That the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure RESOLVED:

3.1 For the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, pursuant to Contract Standing Orders 0.08 and 2.01(b) to:

3.2 Approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for a construction works contractor to deliver remediation works to the roof at Hornsey Library.

Reasons for decision

Structural surveys have confirmed the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within the ceiling/roof areas of double-height atrium located in the western side of Hornsey Library.

This area comprises the main library space for the building. After completing these further surveys, it was recommended that the area below the RAAC panels should be taken out of use immediately, due to significant safety concerns. To enable continued use a scaffold crash deck has been installed to protect members of the public and staff.

It is proposed to procure a contractor to undertake remediation works as outlined in 6.9 of this report on a single-stage, JCT traditional form of contract using the London Construction Programme Education Framework or DPS. Soft market engagement has been undertaken to ascertain interest and availability within the market, with positive feedback of the proposed approach.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing - The Council could decide to not tender the scheme. This option has been discounted as it is not in the Council’s interest to be responsible for a structurally unsound roof. Neither is it financially responsible for the Council to carry the ongoing weekly hire cost of the scaffold which forms the crash deck.

In-house – There is currently no resource within the Council that has the capacity, specialist expertise or qualifications to deliver this service.

Invite open tenders via Contracts Finder. This would result in a protracted tender period and would delay delivery of the project.

Use an alternative public sector DPS. This would not be compliant with CSO 8.02, given the LCP Framework or DPS has been deemed suitable for the requirements being sought.

Hornsey Library was one of the busiest libraries in the borough. The building consisted of a three?storey structure with flat roof areas, and it had been refurbished in 2018 with new Bauder felt roof coverings and solar PV panels, which significantly improved the building’s sustainability.

Structural surveys carried out by Bryan Packman Marcel (BPM) confirmed the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the ceiling and roof areas of the double?height atrium on the western side of the building, which formed the main library space.

The initial report completed in September 2023 found no visible defects but recommended further intrusive investigations. After these were completed, BPM advised that the area beneath the RAAC panels should be closed immediately due to serious safety concerns and recommended that remedial works be undertaken before the space could be safely reopened.

That the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure

RESOLVED:

3.1 For the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, pursuant to Contract Standing Orders 0.08 and 2.01(b) to:

3.2 Approved the commencement of a procurement exercise for a construction works contractor to deliver remediation works to the roof at Hornsey Library.

Reasons for decision

Structural surveys have confirmed the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) within the ceiling/roof areas of double-height atrium located in the western side of Hornsey Library.

This area comprises the main library space for the building. After completing these further surveys, it was recommended that the area below the RAAC panels should be taken out of use immediately, due to significant safety concerns. To enable continued use a scaffold crash deck has been installed to protect members of the public and staff.

It is proposed to procure a contractor to undertake remediation works as outlined in 6.9 of this report on a single-stage, JCT traditional form of contract using the London Construction Programme Education Framework or DPS. Soft market engagement has been undertaken to ascertain interest and availability within the market, with positive feedback of the proposed approach.

Alternative options considered

Do nothing - The Council could decide to not tender the scheme. This option has been discounted as it is not in the Council’s interest to be responsible for a structurally unsound roof. Neither is it financially responsible for the Council to carry the ongoing weekly hire cost of the scaffold which forms the crash deck.

In-house – There is currently no resource within the Council that has the capacity, specialist expertise or qualifications to deliver this service.

Invite open tenders via Contracts Finder. This would result in a protracted tender period and would delay delivery of the project.

Use an alternative public sector DPS. This would not be compliant with CSO 8.02, given the LCP Framework or DPS has been deemed suitable for the requirements being sought.