Purpose

In relation to our term-service contract for
asbestos which is due to expire on the 27th of September 2025 we
are seeking approval to:
1) Extend the contract by 24 months. This extension is allowed in
line with the contract provisions.
2) Modify the overall contract sum for the entire 7 year term from
£2,250,000 to £2,470,173.84.

Decision

1.    
Approve the extension of the existing Asbestos removal and
remediation contract for 24 months from Friday, 1 August 2025 to
Saturday, 31 July 2027 with Cablesheer
Limited.
 
2.    
Approve an increase in the contract value (for both initial
contract period and extension period) from £1,382,341.33 to
£1,820,963.33.
 

Reasons for the decision

1.    
The Council has a legal obligation to ensure its
properties are maintained and that any risks to health are being
appropriately managed and actioned.
 
2.    
Consistent with other social landlords, the
Council’s assets still contain substantial asbestos
containing materials. Survey records show that 87% of blocks
(communal areas) and a considerable proportion of dwellings contain
asbestos and all school buildings constructed prior to 2000 contain
asbestos materials.
 
3.    
Whilst asbestos in good condition can remain in
situ, the Council’s active programme of upgrade and
improvement works together with routine reactive repairs mean that
there is an ongoing requirement for the removal of asbestos. Annual
asbestos re-inspections to blocks and schools in line with the
requirements of Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations
2012 also identify asbestos that requires removal or
remediation.
 
4.    
The Council’s Asbestos Management Plan details
processes to be followed in the event of an emergency involving
asbestos and these are incumbent on the response of the Licensed
Asbestos Removal Contractor attending and making safe.
 
5.    
As asbestos removal and remediation is key to the operational
processes of all workstreams it is important that this work is
completed on time and to the required standards. Cablesheer Ltd.
have provided a consistent and reliable service for both routine
work and emergencies over the initial term of the contract.
 
6.    
The existing contract award was based on a competitive procurement
process in line with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The
Final Tenders received were evaluated by the Council’s
evaluation team against published evaluation criteria. As the
Contractor recommended for appointment, Cablesheer Ltd. were
identified as the most economically advantageous tenderer, having
applied the evaluation criteria.
 
7.    
Reprocuring the asbestos removal and remediation
contract with an alternative supplier is unlikely to result in cost
savings or improvements in performance so the extension to the
existing contract is recommended.
 

Alternative options considered

Please refer to the report.