Purpose

This decision relates to additional spend over and above the £2.6m covered in the OED approved on 23rd November 2023.
Further survey information has now been received which supports a programme of works which will enable residents to return safely to Barton House. The programme of works is scheduled to complete by 23 February 2024. The existing contract with the Holiday Inn runs until the end of January and therefore needs to be extended. Contractually this needs to be carried out before the next Cabinet meeting and so an Urgent Key Officer Executive Decision is needed.
This decision will enable the Council to continue to support residents in alternative temporary accommodation until the works above have been completed and the block is safe for residents to return.
The decision is to spend on the above items up to a total of £2.7m

Decision

Authorise:
a)the Executive Director, Growth and Regeneration to agree a contract extension with the Holiday Inn in respect of accommodation to be provided and any other contracts required to support and progress the situation.
b)spend of up to £2.7m in addition to the £2.6m authorised in previous OED for Barton House evacuation giving a total spend of £5.3m Officer Executive Decision published 24 November 2023Mayor's Executive Scheme of Delegation (bristol.gov.uk)
for which there is no budgetary provision in relation to the emergency evacuation of Barton House and the elements of spend set out above.
To note:
c)that reprioritisation of HRA budgets will be required to accommodate the spend.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 – not proceed with emergency spend – would not allow the Council to continue to support residents in alternative temporary accommodation or complete the necessary works to make the block safe.
Option 2 – reduced spend – the essential works have been scheduled to minimise the time and cost of alternative temporary accommodation.