Agenda item

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader) considered the attached report which sought a direct contract award from the LCP Framework MW24 Lot 2.2 to enable the Council to carry out Voids Works to Haringey Community Benefits Society (HCBS) and Private Sector Leased (PSL) properties. The Cabinet Member noted that this contract award was  vital in facilitating these properties to be returned to long – term lettable standard as soon as possible in order to relieve pressures on temporary accommodation.

The Cabinet Member queried paragraph 5.1 and the final sentence and  agreed that the minutes clarify that this should read:In addition, Haringey Council and Homes for Haringey have been exploring options to increase the number of properties to relieve homelessness and currently the council is targeting the acquisition of 250 new properties per year.

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

RESOLVED

1.    To agree the award of a Voids Contract for a period not exceeding 18 months, to Contractor A to carry out Voids Works to Haringey Community Benefits Society (HCBS) and Private Sector Leased (PSL) properties to a maximum sum details of which are contained in the Exempt Report in line with the provisions of the Council’s CSOs 7.02, 2.01(c) and 0.08.

2.    To agree a Total Scheme Cost, details of which are contained in the Exempt Report.

Reasons for decisions

The Haringey Community Benefits Society (HCBS) has successfully acquired a significant number of properties in the past 12 months, and this acquisition programme is continuing. In addition, Haringey Council has a commitment to a number of Private Sector Leased (PSL) properties.

Each of the HCBS properties most recently acquired requires voids works to be undertaken in accordance with an agreed specification in order to return it to long – term lettable standard and each of the PSL properties being considered for this Contract requires works to be undertaken in accordance with a specification to be agreed with the private sector landlord to meet the Council’s tenancy obligations.

A Direct Award from the LCP Framework MW24 Lot 2.2 is considered to be the most time and cost efficient method of procuring a contractor to undertake these Works.

Alternative options considered

The primary alternative to the proposed contract would be not to undertake the Works and this has been rejected as it is vital that these properties are returned to long – term lettable standard as soon as possible in order to relieve pressures on temporary accommodation.

A secondary alternative would be for the council’s inhouse team to deliver the additional works. However, as noted in 3.1, the council is forecasting a significant increase in the number of properties that require void works over the next two years. 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. Additional capacity, through the required contract uplift, is therefore required to deliver these works in a timely manner.

Consequently, it has been concluded that existing council services would benefit from additional support from a short-term void works contract: to facilitate this aim.