The Cabinet Member for Haringey Council met on Thursday, 29th May 2025, to discuss and approve the continued use of the Osborne Grove building as a night shelter, award a contract for borough-wide bin chute repairs, and vary an existing surveying contract.

Osborne Grove Night Shelter Extension

Councillor Sarah Williams approved the continued interim use of the Osborne Grove building as a night shelter and assessment centre for individuals experiencing rough sleeping. This extension will last for two years, until 31st March 2027, or until a long-term plan for the site is established. The decision also delegates authority to the Director for Adults, Housing and Health and the Corporate Director of Finance for any future extensions of this temporary use.

Osborne Grove, a former nursing home located at 16 Upper Tollington Park, N4 3EL, has been operating as a night shelter and assessment centre since 2020. The service is considered a critical component of the borough's strategy to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, having contributed to a nearly 40% reduction in rough sleeping in its first year. The report highlighted that the building has no alternative meanwhile use and that a longer-term solution is not expected to be deliverable within the proposed extension period.

The night shelter is particularly important for accommodating individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), a cohort that often has complex mental or physical health needs that are exacerbated by street homelessness. The service aims to provide rapid assessment and support for individuals to regularise their status and find appropriate accommodation.

Funding for the service is significantly supported by a £1,348,484 award from the Rough Sleeping Initiative 2025-2026, with £489,493 specifically allocated for the night shelter. While the service is expected to be cost-neutral due to grant funding, a projected shortfall for 2026/27 is being addressed through ongoing work on rents in General Fund properties and the assumption that future grant funding will be available and potentially more flexible. The report also noted that if the building were to be emptied, security and compliance costs would amount to approximately £33,560 per annum. The council's commitment to utilising assets flexibly is underscored by the building's previous use as supported housing during the COVID-19 pandemic under the Government's Everyone In directive.

Borough-Wide Bin Chute Repair, Maintenance & Installation Contract

A contract for the maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of bin chute systems across the Council's housing stock was awarded to Tenderer A. The contract will run for an initial three years, with the option for two one-year extensions, and has a maximum estimated value of £850,000, plus inflationary adjustments.

Bin chute systems are described as critical infrastructure in high-rise and flatted properties, essential for hygienic waste disposal and mitigating fire and pest risks. Many of the council's existing systems are ageing and require urgent attention to meet British Standards. The new contract will cover regular maintenance, emergency repairs, replacement of damaged components, fire-stopping improvements, and full chute replacements. The upgrade works are intended to enhance the protection of vulnerable residents, improve health and safety outcomes, reduce fire risks, and contribute to estate cleanliness and waste management efficiency.

The contract was procured via the London Construction Programme (LCP) Minor Works Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) under the 'Waste Infrastructure' category. This approach provided access to specialist contractors. The decision to offer a five-year programme with two optional one-year extensions was made to ensure the contract was attractive to bidders while allowing the council flexibility to review market conditions or consider in-house delivery in the future. Of the three bids received, Tenderer A was selected based on a 60% Quality / 40% Price evaluation, demonstrating strong technical experience and competitive pricing. The works will be funded through a mix of Capital and Revenue expenditure, with £175,000 allocated annually from the M&E revenue budget and the Fire Safety Capital budget for upgrade works.

Variation of Current Surveying Contract

Councillor Williams approved a variation to the existing contract with Faithorn Farrell & Timms LLP (FFT) to provide additional surveying services. This variation will increase the contract value to allow for the payment of completed surveys and any future works until the contract's expiry on 14th February 2026.

The original contract, procured in March 2023, was established to support the Housing Repairs Service with specialist surveying skills, particularly for damp and mould assessments, in response to increased demand following the tragic death of Awaab Ishak. The report stated that continuing to instruct FFT was the most economically advantageous route, as procuring a new contract would have caused significant delays and incurred additional costs. The rates secured under the existing arrangement were also considered favourable given the high demand across the sector.

The variation is necessary to cover an outstanding debt to the contractor for completed surveys and to accommodate any future works. The report noted that the number and frequency of contract variations in housing are a concern and present a financial risk. To reduce future reliance on external providers, the council has recruited five full-time in-house surveyors and will monitor demand for further recruitment. The variation will be funded from the repairs budget provision for damp and mould. The total additional cost for this variation is £377,000, increasing the contract value from £450,000 to £827,000. The report also highlighted that the work undertaken, particularly damp and mould surveys, can lead to repairs that improve energy efficiency and reduce moisture in properties.