In a meeting of the Cabinet Member Signing, Haringey Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader), Councillor Sarah Williams, approved contracts for the refurbishment of void properties and external works to the Turner Avenue Estate. The decisions aim to bring homes up to the Decent Homes Standard¹, increase housing supply, and improve energy efficiency. Councillor Williams also agreed that increased costs associated with works on the Turner Avenue Estate would not be passed on to leaseholders.

Turner Avenue Estate External Major Works

Councillor Sarah Williams approved a £1,514,644 contract with Contractor A to complete external major works on the Turner Avenue Estate, ensuring all homes meet the Decent Homes Standard. The works include:

• Flat roof covering
• Window and door replacement
• External brickwork and concrete repairs
• Curtain walling to stairwells
• Communal internal and external decorations

The decision followed the termination of the original contract due to the previous contractor's non-performance. To ensure continuity, Councillor Williams approved a waiver of Contract Standing Orders (CSOs) 12.01 and 12.02, allowing a direct award to Contractor A, who is already working on the Brunel Walk development within the Turner Avenue Estate.

Councillor Williams also agreed that increased costs associated with completing the works would not be passed on to leaseholders, maintaining the original contract pricing, except where the scope of work is reduced. Professional fees of £81,456 were approved, bringing the total project cost to £1,596,100.

The council considered the alternative option of not proceeding with the works, but rejected it because:

As the landlord, Haringey Council has a statutory responsibility to ensure that the property complies with Decent Homes standards and current Health and Safety regulations.

Extensive Voids Programme: Phases 1 and 2

Councillor Sarah Williams approved contracts for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Extensive Voids Programme, aimed at refurbishing long-term empty properties to increase housing supply.

Phase 1

A £653,684.47 contract was awarded to Tenderer A for Phase 1 of the programme, covering five structurally compromised and uninhabitable properties. The refurbishment aims to reduce long-term voids and provide much-needed accommodation for residents on the waiting list. The properties to be refurbished are:

• 137 Gladstone Avenue, N22 6LA
• 73 Salisbury Road, N22 6NU
• 35 Summerhill Road, N15 4HF
• 9 Wakefield Road, N15 4NJ
• 168/168a Gladstone Avenue N22 6LA

The works include structural and building improvements, fire safety upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements.

Phase 2

A £1,030,581.00 contract was awarded to Tenderer A for Phase 2, focusing on five void properties with significant structural defects. Two of the properties will undergo loft conversions to increase the number of bedrooms, addressing overcrowding and providing larger homes for families. The properties to be refurbished are:

• 77 Inderwick Road N8 9LA
• 12 Belmont Road N15 3LT
• 79 Cavendish Road N4 1RR
• 150 The Roundway N17 7DG
• 26 Hanover N15 4DL

In addition to structural and building improvements, fire safety upgrades, and energy efficiency improvements, the works for Phase 2 include:

• Extension works to increase living and habitable space
• Reconfiguration of internal layouts to accommodate additional bedrooms
• Foundation strengthening and structural modifications to support extensions
• Upgrades to heating, plumbing, and electrical systems to support increased capacity.

For both phases, the council considered the alternative option of not proceeding with the works, but rejected it, stating that:

Haringey Council has a duty to preserve both the internal and external integrity of its properties. Choosing not to proceed with refurbishment works would expose the Council to criticism for failing to bring its assets back into use, particularly considering growing demand for social housing.