Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Placemaking & Local Economy.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved, pursuant to Contract Standing Orders 2.01(b), the commencement of a tendering process for a construction works contractor to deliver the Phase 2a new hub building within Down Lane Park.

Reasons for decision:

The appointment of a Principal Contractor to take over the design and build of the project from RIBA Stage 4 was required for Phase 2a, the construction of a new community hub building as part of the Down Lane Park Improvement Scheme, which was being delivered as part of the wider Tottenham Hale regeneration programme.

This project would comprehensively upgrade Down Lane Park as a core component of the broader Tottenham Hale regeneration programme, while also addressing current challenges and issues such as anti?social behaviour. It would deliver a new vision for the park, providing a high?quality central green space at Tottenham Hale that catered for the future requirements of all residents and visitors.

Phase 2a, as part of the wider scheme, would replace the existing Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) offer currently housed in the Pavilion building, which was being demolished to make way for new sports courts in Phase 3. A purpose?built new community hub and parks depot building would be located on the former Parks Depot site and would also include a new entrance into the hub from Park View Road.

It was proposed to procure a contractor on a single?stage design?and?build form of contract using the London Construction Programme General Framework or DPS. Soft?market engagement had been undertaken to gauge interest and availability within the market, and positive feedback had been received regarding the proposed approach.

Alternative options considered:

Do nothing – The Council could have chosen not to tender the scheme. However, part of the works was funded by Section 106 contributions from surrounding developments, and not progressing would have placed this funding at risk.

In?house delivery – This was not feasible as the Council did not have the capacity, specialist expertise or qualifications required to deliver this service.

Invite open tenders via Contracts Finder – This option would have resulted in a protracted tender period and delayed project delivery.

Use an alternative public?sector DPS – This would not have complied with Contract Standing Order 8.02, given that the LCP Framework or DPS had already been deemed suitable for the requirements.

It was agreed that, to facilitate the meeting and allow for the deputation to be followed on by the item, to move forward 16 on the agenda. This was agreed by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy introduced the report.

It was explained that the Council had worked with the community to co?design improvements to the park. Two significant phases had been delivered in the northern part of the park. The subsequent phases were planned to extend the landscape improvements to the southern areas, including the provision of a new purpose?built community hub and café with an associated community garden and parks depot area, as well as new entrances and updated sports and play facilities.

The layout of the community hub was designed to be efficient, flexible and adaptable for community use. It would function as a multi?purpose space with access to a new community garden. The design allowed for a voluntary and community sector organisation to take a lease and operate the space as a sustainable community asset with long?term local benefits. The parks depot area would enable staff to continue maintaining Down Lane Park to a specified standard, providing space for equipment storage and staff facilities. Procuring and appointing a suitably qualified contractor was necessary to deliver the scheme by summer 2027.

Ms Mariam Sheikh of the Tottenham Hale Community Centre was invited to speak on the item. It was explained that the aim of the proposals was to ensure that the proposed site was safe and able to be positively utilised by the community.

It was explained that that the Tottenham Hale Community Centre wanted to utilise the proposed site for community use relating to young children and mothers, as well as for activities to connect older people.

Following questions from Councillors Ovat, Ali, Brabazon and Connor, the following information was shared:

• It was explained that the Council had undertaken engagement work over 18 months which had provided crucial input on the design of the park. It was also noted that Disability Action Haringey had been involved in the co-design in order to ensure that the site was disabled accessible.
  
  
• The Cabinet Member explained that the tender process for meanwhile usage had been a shortened process, but noted that the Council had attracted a significant number of tenders, and that these were processed through standard Council tendering process to ensure fairness and transparency.
  
  
• It was explained that the centre was looking to engage a wide range of communities by hosting a wide range of services across multiple different cultures.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Approved, pursuant to Contract Standing Orders 2.01(b), the commencement of a tendering process for a construction works contractor to deliver the Phase 2a new hub building within Down Lane Park.

Reasons for decision:

The appointment of a Principal Contractor to take over the design and build of the project from RIBA Stage 4 was required for Phase 2a, the construction of a new community hub building as part of the Down Lane Park Improvement Scheme, which was being delivered as part of the wider Tottenham Hale regeneration programme.

This project would comprehensively upgrade Down Lane Park as a core component of the broader Tottenham Hale regeneration programme, while also addressing current challenges and issues such as anti?social behaviour. It would deliver a new vision for the park, providing a high?quality central green space at Tottenham Hale that catered for the future requirements of all residents and visitors.

Phase 2a, as part of the wider scheme, would replace the existing Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) offer currently housed in the Pavilion building, which was being demolished to make way for new sports courts in Phase 3. A purpose?built new community hub and parks depot building would be located on the former Parks Depot site and would also include a new entrance into the hub from Park View Road.

It was proposed to procure a contractor on a single?stage design?and?build form of contract using the London Construction Programme General Framework or DPS. Soft?market engagement had been undertaken to gauge interest and availability within the market, and positive feedback had been received regarding the proposed approach.

Alternative options considered:

Do nothing – The Council could have chosen not to tender the scheme. However, part of the works was funded by Section 106 contributions from surrounding developments, and not progressing would have placed this funding at risk.

In?house delivery – This was not feasible as the Council did not have the capacity, specialist expertise or qualifications required to deliver this service.

Invite open tenders via Contracts Finder – This option would have resulted in a protracted tender period and delayed project delivery.

Use an alternative public?sector DPS – This would not have complied with Contract Standing Order 8.02, given that the LCP Framework or DPS had already been deemed suitable for the requirements.