Councillor Ruth Gordon, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy, approved the award of a contract for façade and shopfront improvements to St Mark's Methodist Church (SMMC) and the associated funding agreement. This decision is part of the wider Tottenham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) regeneration scheme.

St Mark's Methodist Church Improvements

Councillor Ruth Gordon approved the award of a contract to Bidder 3 for façade and shopfront improvement works at St Mark's Methodist Church (SMMC) for a maximum value of £749,932.25. This includes a 15% contingency. A Letter of Intent was also approved, allowing for initial works to commence pending the formal contract, up to 10% of the maximum contract value (£74,993.23).

Furthermore, Councillor Gordon approved the Council entering into a Funding and Works Agreement (FWA) with the managing trustees of SMMC. Under this agreement, the Council will provide a grant of £682,014.00, representing 80% of the total project costs. In return, SMMC will contribute £180,000 towards the project and grant the Council a licence to carry out the works.

This project is a key part of the Tottenham High Street Heritage Action Zone (HS HAZ) regeneration scheme, a partnership between Historic England and Haringey Council. The scheme aims to boost the local economy by investing in heritage assets in Bruce Grove. The SMMC project is considered a flagship scheme within the HS HAZ programme.

The decision to proceed with these improvements is driven by the urgency to spend the £2.012 million grant from Historic England by its programme closure in March 2024. Failure to meet this deadline could result in the withdrawal of this funding. The project aligns with the Council's Placemaking strategy and the Haringey Deal, involving close collaboration with the SMMC congregation and local business owners. The improvements are intended to enhance the building's heritage significance, support the local economy, and provide vital services to the community.

The Council considered alternative options, including not proceeding with the works, which would have hindered the HS HAZ programme's objectives. An in-house delivery option was also considered but deemed not feasible due to a lack of internal expertise in heritage building fabric restoration.

The project is expected to contribute to various Corporate Delivery Plan outcomes, including enhancing resident experience, promoting an inclusive economy, supporting children and young people, improving adult health and welfare, increasing safety, fostering a culturally rich borough, and improving placemaking in Tottenham. The improvements will also address carbon emissions through better insulation and promote sustainable transport and waste management.

The funding for this project comes from the Tottenham Heritage Action Zone capital scheme, which is financed by Haringey Council borrowing, Historic England grant, SCIL, and the GLA. The proposed expenditure is within the remaining budget for this scheme. The procurement process involved a competitive tender, with Bidder 3 emerging as the most economically advantageous bid. Legal and equalities assessments have confirmed the compliance of the decision with relevant standing orders and legislation, with a positive impact anticipated for individuals with protected characteristics.

The SMMC building, a locally listed landmark, houses five local businesses and serves as a place of worship and a community centre. The planned improvements include façade and shopfront restoration, aiming to enhance the building's appearance, improve safety through better lighting, and incorporate greenery to mitigate flood risk and the urban heat island effect. The project also includes improvements to the car park and boundary areas, which are being delivered separately by the Council's term contractor.