Content

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS ITEM:

 
None

 

RESOLVED:

 
That
Cabinet:

Approved, pursuant to
Contract Standing Order (CSO) 2.01(c), the award of contract to
Tenderer A as set out in Appendix A – Exempt Report. The
contract sum had a total value of £3,399,871.00.

Approved the
expenditure of sums as set out in Appendix A – Exempt
Report.

In line with Contract
Standing Orders (CSO 16.04), approved issuance of a letter of
intent for the value of £339,987.00. The Letter of Intent
allowed the contractor to commence the project by placing orders
with their supply chain before agreeing a formal contract.

 

Reasons for Decision

The decision to award
this contract was based on several critical factors:

Feasibility and
Condition Surveys
The Council appointed a multi-disciplinary consultant in 2022 to
conduct a feasibility study of the 77 tenanted properties included
in the Tower Gardens Major Works Programme.

The study, which also
incorporated detailed condition surveys, was conducted in two
distinct phases. Inspections of the front elevations took place
during the week commencing 31 January 2022, followed by assessments
of the rear elevations starting the week of 21 February 2022. The
findings revealed that all properties exhibited comparable defects,
with structural movement identified as the predominant
concern.

The scope of works,
derived from the feasibility study and condition surveys, was
outlined in Section 4.2.

In addition to the
feasibility study and condition surveys, the appointed consultant
was commissioned to deliver a range of specialist services, with
associated fees detailed in the Exempt Report – Appendix A.
These services included:

Project and cost
management
Architectural design
and technical support
Building
surveying
Mechanical,
electrical, structural, and civil engineering
Principal Designer
services in compliance with the Construction (Design and
Management) Regulations

 
General Scope of
Works
The following works were identified by the consultant and
recommended as part of the Tower Gardens Major Works Programme:

Structural
repairs
Replacement of roof
coverings to ensure weatherproofing and structural integrity
Renewal of rainwater
goods to improve drainage and prevent water damage
Fabric repairs to
masonry and brickwork to restore external surfaces and prevent
deterioration
Replacement of all
windows and front entrance doors to enhance energy efficiency and
security
Renewal of fencing to
improve boundary definition and aesthetics
Levelling of pathways
to eliminate trip hazards and improve accessibility

These works ensured
that properties within the Tower Gardens Conservation Area were
structurally sound, weatherproof, and compliant with current
standards. This investment in the 77 properties helped prevent
further deterioration, reduced repair costs, and enhanced the
overall condition of the borough’s housing stock.
 
Need for Fire
Safety Upgrades
As part of the programme, fire safety upgrades were incorporated
where necessary. This included the replacement of components such
as external doors with fire-rated units, installation of compliant
fixtures, and improvements to compartmentation in roofs and other
areas. These measures were essential to ensure that properties met
current fire safety regulations and provided a safe environment for
residents.
 
Energy Efficiency
Improvements
The programme supported the Council’s commitment to becoming
a net-zero carbon borough by 2041.
Current energy
performance data for the 77 properties showed that the homes had an
average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of
‘D’. This indicated significant potential for
improvement in insulation, heating, and windows to lower energy
bills and carbon emissions.
The major works
programme included replacement of windows and external doors and
roof insulation, contributing to better thermal performance and
reduced carbon emissions, which in turn lowered energy bills for
residents. These improvements aligned with the Council’s
Climate Change Action Plan and Affordable Energy Strategy.
Upon completion of the
works, the project team conducted post-installation Energy
Performance Surveys to confirm that energy efficiency enhancements
had been achieved. It was anticipated that these improvements would
result in an upgrade of the EPC rating from ‘D’ to
‘C’.
 
Minimising Future
Costs
This programme helped mitigate escalating repair costs and
safeguarded the long-term value of the Council’s housing
stock. Delaying these essential works risked further deterioration
of the properties, which could have compounded existing structural
issues, increased reactive maintenance demands, and ultimately
undermined the value of the properties and compromised the
Conservation Area status of the Tower Gardens Estate. By investing
now, the Council took proactive steps to ensure the housing stock
remained in good condition for current and future residents.
 
Resident Engagement
and Communication
Although the works were external in nature, the Council engaged
with residents and stakeholders across the Tower Gardens Estate.
Communications were issued to affected households, and Resident
Liaison Officers were appointed to support engagement, respond to
queries, and ensure that disruption was minimised. This proactive
approach reflected the Council’s commitment to transparency
and resident wellbeing.
 
Conservation Area
Considerations
As the properties were located within a designated Conservation
Area, the Major Works Team, together with the multi-disciplinary
consultant, engaged with the Planning Department through
pre-application advice to ensure that all proposed interventions
were sensitively designed to complement and preserve the
architectural character of the Tower Gardens Estate.
 
Alignment with
Strategic Goals
This project aligned with the Council’s wider strategic
objectives, including the Housing Delivery Programme, the Housing
Asset Management Strategy, and the Council Housing Energy Action
Plan (HEAP). It supported the Council’s ambition to provide
high-quality, sustainable housing and to make best use of its
existing stock.
 

Alternative Options Considered

Do
Nothing
Haringey Council had a responsibility to maintain both the internal
and external integrity of its housing stock. Opting not to proceed
with the refurbishment of the 77 properties within the Tower
Gardens Estate would have risked reputational damage, as it could
have been perceived as neglecting its duty to uphold standards of
repair—especially given the estate’s designation as a
Conservation Area.

Inaction also carried
significant financial consequences. Failure to upgrade these
properties would have led to continued reactive repairs and
maintenance, placing a sustained burden on the Council’s
already limited financial resources. Timely investment not only
fulfilled the Council’s statutory obligations to ensure the
properties met the Decent Homes Standard but also delivered
long-term cost-effectiveness and reinforced its commitment to
providing safe, well-maintained housing for its residents.
 
Partnering
Contract
Haringey Council was procuring four long-term partnering
contractors to deliver major works to its housing stock over a
10-year period. While it was initially considered to include the
Tower Gardens Major Works Programme within the partnering
contracts, several critical factors led to the option being ruled
out.

Firstly, the Tower
Gardens Major Works Programme refurbishment works were considered
urgent, as the external repairs were required to address structural
issues and upgrade poor-performing elements such as windows, doors,
drainage, and other major components. Delaying the works until the
partnering contractors mobilised in early 2026 would have risked
further deterioration of these properties, leading to higher repair
costs, which could in turn have led to claims for
disrepair.

It should also be
noted that the decision to exclude the Tower Gardens Major Works
Programme from the partnering contract was because the project was
first identified in 2022, meaning the works were overdue and any
further delays would have compromised the Council’s
commitment to achieving its Decent Homes target for 2025/26 and
2026/27.