Agenda and draft minutes

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This report sought Cabinet member approval for the continued interim use of the Osborne Grove building as a night shelter and assessment centre for individuals experiencing rough sleeping. The extension was proposed for two years, until 31/03/2027, or until a long-term plan for the building was established. Additionally, the report requested authorization for the Cabinet member to delegate future decisions regarding further extensions of the temporary use to the Director for Adults, Housing and Health and the Corporate Director of Finance.

Osborne Grove was a nursing home that had been decommissioned and operated by the Council until 2020. It was located on Upper Tollington Park in Finsbury Park. The building comprised 35 individual rooms and was being used by the Housing Related Support Team in Haringey Council as a night shelter and assessment centre.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED:

Recommendations

That the Cabinet Member:

2.1. Approves the continued meanwhile use of directly delivered, Osborne Grove Nursing Home, 16 Upper Tollington Park, N4 3EL, as a night shelter and assessment centre, for 2 years until 31/03/2027.

2.2. Note that options for the long-term use of the building and site are subject to further consideration and will be the subject of further report by officers to Cabinet. Page 1 Agenda Item 6 2.3. Delegates authority further to extend meanwhile use of the building to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance limited to 31/03/2027.

Reasons for decision

3.1. The Osborne Grove building is currently in meanwhile use as a directly delivered night shelter and assessment centre and already has a team in place. The service is a critical component of the borough’s approach to reducing homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough and in its first year has reduced the numbers of people rough sleeping by nearly 40%. If accepted, this proposal will ensure that there is no gap in provision for people experiencing homelessness while discussions are held on the long-term use of the building and the cohort it should accommodate. The Capital Projects and Property Team have confirmed that there is no alternative meanwhile use of the building. Officers considered that there will not be a longer-term application deliverable over the proposed meanwhile use period. This request has also been previously considered using the Corporate Property Model’s Asset Performance Assessment.

3.2. The night shelter and assessment centre allows the council to accommodate people who currently have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF). Haringey currently has a very high proportion of people rough sleeping with NRPF. Often, this cohort has significant mental or physical health needs which are unmet while street homeless. When left street homeless for months or years, these needs tend to escalate and often this results in pressure on expensive services elsewhere in the NHS or Council, including on Adult Social Care. There is strong evidence to show that those who are brought into accommodation are quickly supported to regularise their status and source appropriate accommodation.

3.3. The Council has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

This report sought approval from the Cabinet Member to award a call-off contract for the maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of bin chute systems across the Council’s housing stock. The contract was intended to run for up to five years, with an initial duration of three years and two optional one-year extensions. The maximum estimated value of the contract was £850,000, subject to inflationary factors.

Haringey Council oversaw multiple housing blocks with bin chute systems of varying age and condition. The contract was procured through the London Construction Programme (LCP) Minor Works Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the ‘Waste Infrastructure’ category, which provided access to specialist contractors suited to the procurement requirements. The five-year programme, with two optional one-year extensions, was chosen to ensure the contract remained attractive to bidders while allowing flexibility for the Council to assess market conditions or explore in-house delivery options in the future.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED:

Recommendations

Pursuant to Council’s Contract Standing order (CSO) 8.01 ( use of Council Dynamic Purchasing system), CSO 2.01.1C ( Cabinet approve awards of Contract valued at £500,000 or more) and CSO 0.08 (Decision may be taken by Leader or by Cabinet Member) the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters, and Planning approves the award of a contract for the provision of maintenance, repairs and upgrades to bin chute systems to Tenderer A ( Identified in Part B exempt Part of this report) , across the Council’s housing stock, for a duration of three years with the option to extend for 1 + 1 years, with a total value of £850,000 (plus inflation), starting from July 2025.

Reasons for decision

In order to deliver the Maintenance and Repairs Bin chute systems are critical infrastructure in high-rise and flatted properties, helping ensure hygienic waste disposal and preventing fire and pest risks. Many of the Council’s bin chute systems are now ageing, with some requiring urgent repair or replacement in accordance with the relevant British Standards.

The responsive provision will ensure the safety of all equipment to rectify any failures which could put residents at risk of unreported injury or harm . The contract will cover regular maintenance, emergency repairs, replacement of damaged hoppers and chute doors, alignment of chute systems, fire-stopping improvements, and, where necessary, full chute replacements to meet modern standards.

The upgrade works are required to ensure some of our most vulnerable residents are provided with the highest level of protection. The upgrade works will support improved health and safety outcomes, fire risk reduction, and contribute to estate cleanliness and waste management efficiency.

This is a call-off contract, in that there is no monthly or annual fee and the contractor will only receive payment for works completed on instruction providing budgetary flexibility and value for money.

Alternative options considered

Do Nothing – This is not an option as it would increase the risks around fire and personal safety for our residents. This would expose the Council to health and fire safety risks, contravene regulatory obligations, and lead to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

This report sought approval from the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader) for a variation in the existing contract value, in accordance with Contract Standing Orders 2.01(d), 18.02.3, and 18.03. The variation enabled Faithorn Farrell & Timms LLP (FFT) to provide additional Surveying Services to the Council.

The Surveying contract was procured in March 2023 in collaboration with Strategic Procurement business partners. The appointed consultant provided specialist survey services, including assessments for damp and mould, housing health and safety rating system evaluations, structural surveys, party wall matters, disrepair investigations, and general building pathology.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED:

Recommendations

In line with Contract Standing Orders 2.01(d,) 18.02.3 and 18.03, vary the existing Faithorn Farrell & Timms LLP (FFT) contract to carry out the provision of additional Surveying Services to the Council, by FFT.

Reasons for decision

The reasons for seeking to vary the value of this contract are set out below:

4.1. In order to provide a surveying service within given timescales across our housing and related stock, Haringey Council required the support of specialist Surveyors.

4.2. The Council needed to carry out surveys, predominantly for Damp and Mould to support the in-house surveying team in dealing with a the large and increasing demand due to increased publicity and focus on such issues following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak.

4.3. The continued instruction of surveys was the most economically advantageous route as the procurement of a new contract would have significantly affected Haringey’s ability to deliver services during the immediate term and incurred additional staff time and associated cost. Also, the rates secured under this arrangement would have increased if a separate and new award was made, given the level of demand across the sector at the time.

4.4. When the original procurement was conducted it was based on the need to support the Housing Repairs Service with specialist surveying services and skills that HRS did not have in place, to provide surveys to ensure resident health, safety & welfare in accordance with our duties as a registered social landlord and Local Authority.

Alternative options considered

5.1 Do nothing. This would mean that we are unable to meet the demand regarding damp and mould that could lead to serious health issues for residents and breach of our duties as a landlord.

5.2 Undertake all the work in-house. This option was not viable due to the current lack of resources and specialist skills available in the team. 5.3 Procure a new contract. This would not have been in place in time to address the risks involved.

Item 10,11,12 is likely to be subject to a motion to exclude the press and public be from the meeting as it contains exempt information as defined in Section 100a of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by Section 12A of the Local Government Act 1985); paras 3 and 5, namely information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information) and information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as item 7 contains exempt information as defined under paragraph 3, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

The Cabinet Member considered the exempt information.

The Cabinet Member considered the exempt information.

The Cabinet Member considered the exempt information.