Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Housing Planning (Deputy Leader) considered a report   which sought approval to deliver important voids works to properties that have been acquired by the Council for onward leasing to the Haringey Community Benefit Society (HCBS).  The Housing Team had been successful in acquiring much needed additional homes in the borough with the support of external funding from the GLA and MHCLG.

The Cabinet Member was asked, in light of a formal procurement exercise outlined in 8.1-8.3 of the attached report to approve the appointment of Contractor A (set out in the exempt report) to deliver these voids works.

It was expected, subject to the Cabinet Member’s approval, that the contract would mobilise in the autumn of 2024. The contract would run for an initial period of one year, with an option to extend.

In response to a question from Cllr Bevan regarding meeting forthcoming increased comprehensive standards for void works and avoiding a need to update the works in future years, it was noted that voids work compliance was set according to the GLA requirements, and these would have included these increased specifications. The recommended contractor was also experienced. They had already worked on a significant number of voids in the borough and had good knowledge of the Council’s housing stock.

Further to considering the exempt information and exempt recommendations, the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader),

RESOLVED

1.    To approve pursuant to the Council’s Contract Standing Orders (CSO) 9.07.01d, the appointment of Bidder A (named in Appendix Two, the Exempt Report) to undertake building works as set out in Appendix One to the properties for a contract sum as set out in the exempt part of this report

2.    To approve the total sum set out in Appendix Two (Exempt Report).

Reasons for decisions

Haringey Council is forecasting a significant expansion in the number of properties acquired for onward lease to the HCBS that will require void works.

Following an assessment of the available options, the council requires the works set out in Appendix One and Appendix Two (Exempt Report) to be completed for these properties to be let rapidly to Haringey residents.

After the conclusion of a formal procurement process, Contractor A has been identified to deliver this contract.  

Alternative options considered

The primary alternative to the proposed contract would be for the required services to be delivered by existing teams within the council. However, as noted in 3.1, the council is forecasting a significant increase in the number of properties that require void works in the next two years owing to an expansion of the council’s successful acquisition programme. These voids will require rapid, specialist work to allow them to be let to Haringey residents. This is a time dependent priority given that, like most local authorities, Haringey is facing acute housing need from homeless households and a requirement to reduce the council spending on expensive private rented sector accommodation for residents who have presented as homeless (please see 5.1-5.4).

As a consequence, it has been concluded that existing council services would benefit from additional support from a short-term void works contract to deliver these essential works in the quick timeline required.

An alternative option would be to conduct a direct appointment, but this option was rejected due to the estimated contract value of the scheme and to drive value for money through competitive bidding. Instead, this contract was procured via a competitive tender through the London Construction Programme Dynamic Purchasing System and Haringey Procurement and Contract System for mini competition, using a standard, fixed price, JCT Contract with contractor’s design based upon the National Federation Scale of Rates.