Councillor Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader), met on Monday 16 March 2026 to approve a two-year contract extension for the Haringey Citizens Advice Bureaux, award a contract for major works at Hamilton Close, and extend the lift maintenance contract with Jackson Lift Services Limited.

Haringey Citizens Advice Bureaux - Contract Extension

The Cabinet Member approved the variation and extension of the contract with Haringey Citizens Advice Bureaux for the provision of an Information, Advice and Guidance Service. This extension will be for a period of two years, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2028, at an annual cost of £726,536. The aggregated value of the contract, including this extension, will be £4,473,933. Delegated authority will also be granted to the Corporate Director for Adult, Housing and Health to approve a further one-year extension from 1 April 2028 to 31 March 2029, to ensure continuity while a full competitive tender is undertaken.

The decision was made due to high levels of deprivation, homelessness risk, debt, and health inequalities in Haringey, particularly among vulnerable groups. The service provides crucial early intervention to prevent crises such as eviction and unemployment, thereby reducing reliance on statutory services. It aligns with the Council's Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026, contributing to homelessness prevention, improved health and wellbeing, and connecting residents with timely support, while also supporting compliance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017.

Alternative options considered were Do Nothing, which was rejected due to the likely increase in pressure on Council services and negative impact on residents, and Insourcing, which was deemed unsuitable as it would compromise the independent nature of the advice provided and the service's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulation for debt advice.

The service has supported 12,601 residents between April 2024 and December 2025, assisting with issues such as threatened eviction, homelessness, and tenancy-related matters. It has delivered measurable financial outcomes of at least £555,159 for residents, including cleared rent arrears and successful benefit claims, and has written off £133,732 in debt during the 2024/2025 period.

Hamilton Close Major Works Programme

Approval was granted to award a contract to Tenderer A for the Hamilton Close Major Works Programme in the sum of £1,909,942.00. This programme involves significant improvement works to seven blocks of three-storey, purpose-built flats on the Hamilton Close estate¹. The works include replacing timber-framed communal entrances with an aluminium curtain walling system, applying fire-rated coatings to communal areas, and renewing vinyl floor coverings.

The project was delayed due to updated Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) that identified significant fire safety deficiencies. These assessments necessitated a review of the original scope to ensure compliance with current fire safety standards. The updated assessments revealed deterioration to glazing and structural timbers in the main entrances, leading to the recommendation for replacement with an aluminium curtain-walling system. Crucially, a potential fire-safety breach at the interface between the main entrances and external cladding was identified, requiring the u-PVC cladding to be fully replaced alongside the new curtain-walling system to ensure fire-stopping integrity.

Additional works identified include fabric repairs to masonry and brickwork, minor roof repairs, renewal of rainwater goods, and levelling of pathways. These improvements aim to ensure the blocks are structurally sound, weather-tight, and compliant with fire safety regulations, preventing further deterioration and reducing long-term repair costs. The project also incorporates energy efficiency measures, such as upgraded external wall insulation and high-performance glazing, supporting the Council's commitment to achieving net-zero carbon by 2041.

The Council has engaged with residents and stakeholders, with Resident Liaison Officers appointed to manage communication and minimise disruption. Residents will also have the opportunity to choose colours for communal decorations and flooring. The project aligns with the Council's Housing Delivery Programme, Housing Asset Management Strategy, and Council Housing Energy Action Plan (HEAP).

There are 45 leasehold properties affected by these works. Leaseholders are required to contribute to the costs through their service charge, with an estimated total recovery of £310,780.00, averaging £6,906.00 per leaseholder. These figures are subject to restrictions under Part 5 of the Building Safety Act 2022.

The alternative of using a partnering contract was ruled out due to the urgency of addressing fire safety concerns and the need to avoid delays that would risk further deterioration and potential disrepair claims. The project was first identified in 2022 and is already overdue, with further delays risking the Council's ability to meet Decent Homes targets.

Lift Maintenance Contract - Approval for One-Year Extension

The Cabinet Member approved the extension and variation of the Lift Service and Maintenance Contract with Jackson Lift Services Limited for one year, from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. This extension will increase the contract value by £358,324.49, bringing the total to £3,261,254.49. This includes a previous variation of £98,345.00 for the first-year extension in 2025-2026. The annual value of this extended contract will be £600,000.

This extension is necessary to ensure the continuation of a statutory service provision while enabling the re-procurement of a new lift maintenance contract. The Council is staggering the re-procurement of major contracts to manage available resources, and this extension will allow time to procure a new long-term contract by 1 April 2027, avoiding co-termination issues and reducing future pressure on resources.

The Council has a statutory obligation under regulations such as LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) and PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) to ensure lifts are regularly serviced, maintained, and repaired. The original contract commenced on 1 April 2020 for a potential seven-year term.

The option of Do Nothing was rejected as it would contravene statutory health and safety obligations. Re-tendering the contract immediately was not feasible within the required timescales, but it will be commenced and completed during the extension period. Undertaking the maintenance in-house was also deemed not feasible or cost-effective due to the specialist skills and equipment required.

The extension is expected to have a positive impact on residents, particularly older people, families with young children, and those with mobility challenges, by ensuring the continuity of essential lift servicing and maintenance, thereby minimising the risk of service disruption and safety issues.