Decision

It is recommended that:

The Head of Housing Development approves awarding a contract to Hexis Support Services Ltd to provide site security services for Station Road Temporary Accommodation Lodge in accordance with CSOs 11.01 and 11.02 for the value of £24,199.98 plus VAT.

This service is required to secure the site to prevent squatters returning and living in the buildings which are unfit for human inhabitation.

Reasons for the decision

This service is required to secure a vacant development site that has been subject to repeated illegal occupation by squatters. The unauthorised use of the site has resulted in significant ongoing costs to the Council, including the illegal use of utilities, and presents a material risk to the delivery of the regeneration programme.

Appointing specialist security services is necessary to prevent re occupation of the site and to safeguard it while demolition contractor procurement is completed. The buildings are structurally unsafe and unfit for human occupation, and continued access poses serious health and safety risks. Effective site security is therefore essential to protect unauthorised individuals, the public, and the Council from harm and liability.

The proposed combination of physical hoarding and perimeter securing works, together with a monitored alarm system, provides a robust and proportionate solution. This approach goes beyond temporary or reactive measures and ensures the site is secured continuously, deterring access and enabling rapid response should breaches occur.

Securing the site is also critical to ensuring that required surveys, inspections and enabling works can proceed without disruption. Unauthorised occupation could prevent demolition, delay investigations, and jeopardise the overall development timetable, leading to further financial and programme risk.

The appointment is time limited to an initial 12 week period, aligned with the anticipated demolition contractor appointment, with the option to extend for up to a further 12 weeks if procurement is delayed. This ensures the approach is proportionate, offers value for money, and provides flexibility while maintaining continuity of site security.

Alternative options considered

The Council could opt not to appoint this service provider; however, this decision would adversely affect and hinder the delivery of emergency temporary accommodation