Councillor Dixie-Ann Joseph, Cabinet Member for Placemaking, approved a variation to the contract sum and programme for the Broadwater Farm External Major Works Programme. This decision was made to address necessary repairs and ensure the buildings remain safe and compliant with current regulations.

Major Works Programme Broadwater Farm Estate

Councillor Dixie-Ann Joseph approved a variation to the contract sum and programme for the Broadwater Farm External Major Works Programme. This decision was made to prevent further deterioration of key external and some internal building elements on the estate while a wider refurbishment programme is developed. The approved variation includes the anticipated final account position, detailing the principal cost drivers and the commercial controls applied to ensure value for money.

The Broadwater Farm External Major Works Programme was initiated to address identified works on eight blocks, including concrete repairs, balcony waterproofing, renewal of internal flooring, sandblasting, drainage repairs, and redecoration with an A2 fire-rated coating. These measures are intended to ensure the buildings remain safe, weathertight, and compliant with current fire-safety regulations, thereby preventing increased safety risks, accelerated asset deterioration, and additional pressure on the responsive repairs budget.

Alternative options considered included doing nothing, which was discounted as a contractor was already appointed and works were in progress, and pausing the works to complete them as part of a full estate regeneration. The latter was also discounted due to the lengthy timescales involved in the wider regeneration programme and the unacceptable risk of continued deterioration during the interim period.

The need for the variation arose after the contractor commenced work and gained full access, revealing previously concealed defects and constraints. This necessitated further surveys, revised methodologies, and scope changes to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, including fire safety legislation for Higher Risk Buildings¹ and the adoption of A2-rated fire-compliant coatings. Intrusive surveys and associated remedial works to address concealed defects, along with programme extensions, also contributed to the increased costs.

The report highlighted that the original scope was based on visual, non-intrusive surveys, and full regulatory assessments were not undertaken at the tender stage. Once on site, issues such as asbestos and lead-based paint surveys, intrusive concrete testing, structural assessments, fire risk mitigation actions, security and access control upgrades, and changes to external materials to meet fire safety standards became apparent. These factors collectively resulted in increased costs and a programme extension, with completion now anticipated in April 2027.

The Council has a Public Sector Equality Duty² under the Equality Act 2010, requiring due regard to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between people who share protected characteristics. The decision primarily impacts residents of Haringey Council-owned properties, a significant number of whom share protected characteristics, with BAME and disabled people being overrepresented in the council housing stock. The scope of works will be adapted where residents have disabilities, and engagement with residents will take place to identify specific needs. The contractor is also required to adhere to the Public Sector Equality Duty.