Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Licensing, and Housing Services considered the report which sought approval for the award of a contract to the preferred contractor in Appendix A to carry out external structural repair and renewal works at Chettle Court, Cordell House and Edgecot Grove. The contract award would be for the sum of £1,366,363.08 and included a contingency sum as shown in Appendix A. The report also sought approval for the issue of a letter of intent to the preferred contractor. This would be for an amount up to, but not exceeding, £136,636.31. This represented 10% of the contract sum. It was further recommended that the Cabinet Member approves the professional fees of £101,315.82, which represented 7.415% of the contract sum. Details of the preferred contractor were outlined in Appendix A (exempt information) of the report.

In response to a question from the Cabinet Member, it was explained that, where possible, works were delivered holistically but that the proposed works in this case were essential and could not be delayed.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED

1.    Pursuant to the Council’s Contract Standing Order (CSO) 16.02, to approve the award of a contract to the preferred contractor (named in the exempt part of the report) to carry out brick work and concrete repairs to Chettle Court, Cordell House and Edgecott Grove blocks. The works also include repairs to steelwork supports and associated repairs to the existing underpass at Chettle Court as well as the repairs and/or replacement of the timber cladding to the walkways. In addition to these works, the main roof at Cordell House will be replaced. This will be for a total sum of £1,366,363.08 and includes a contingency sum as shown in Appendix A.

2.    To approve the issue of a letter of intent for an amount of up to, but not exceeding £136,636.31, which represents 10% of the contract sum.

3.    To approve the total professional fees of £101,315.82, which represents 7.415 % of the contract sum.

4.    To approve the total project costs of £1,467,678.90.

Reasons for decision

Homes for Haringey requires the Cabinet Member’s approval to award the contract for structural works at Chettle Court, Cordell House and Edgecot Grove, which includes, brickwork and concrete repairs to all blocks. The works also include repairs to steelwork supports and associated repairs to the existing underpass at Chettle Court as well as repairs and/or replacement of the timber cladding to the walkways. In addition to these works, the main roof at Cordell House will be replaced. These works will preserve, protect and improve the appearance and structural strength of the buildings.

Homes for Haringey requires the Cabinet Member’s approval for the award of this contract, which is deemed to represent value for money. This is following a tender process undertaken in conjunction with Haringey Council’s Procurement team via the London Construction Programme (London Construction Programme) framework and processes.

The tender process was carried out in accordance with the framework requirements that incorporate price and quality. The preferred contractor scored the highest in relation to these criteria in the associated lot 1.1B.

Alternative options considered

An alternative option would be for Homes for Haringey to use third party industry frameworks or a tender process that is compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 to deliver the remedial works to the blocks Chettle Court, Cordell House and Edgecot Grove. Homes for Haringey sought support and advice from Haringey Strategic Procurement and determined the London Construction Programme framework, as being the optimum route to the market. This was due to the speed of access to quality-checked contractors and focus on companies that concentrate their resources in the local area.

A do-nothing option would mean the Council is not able to deliver external capital investment works to bring the estate up to the Decent Homes standard, in accordance with the Asset Management Strategy 2020-25.