Content

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:
 
None
 

RESOLVED:
 
That the Cabinet
Member for Children, Education and Families, pursuant to Contract
Standing Order (CSO) 0.08, to:
 
1.   
Approved the award of contract to Consultant B for RIBA 2-6
construction-related multi-disciplinary consultancy services up to
the value of £688,956.80, to support the replacement of Block
A roof and a section of Block B roof at Park View School, pursuant
to CSOs 0.08, 2.01c and 8.01.

2.   
In accordance with CSO 16.04, approved issuance of a letter of
intent to the value of £100,000.
 

Reasons for decision
 
Following an
inspection of the teaching Block A at Park View School by an
external structural engineer, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated
Concrete (RAAC) was discovered forming part of the structural slab
of the roof. On 14 April 2023, due to the risk of failure and
collapse of this building element, it was recommended that the top
floor of the building, consisting of 14 classrooms and office
space, be immediately vacated. It was confirmed by the structural
engineer that the other floors of the building could be safely used
by students and staff. A curriculum and space analysis was
undertaken and it was determined that
the school required temporary accommodation including 13
classrooms, one shared office and four toilets until the structural
issue could be remediated.
 
Interim teaching
arrangements were initially put in place at the school from Monday
17 April 2023. These consisted of teaching many pupils in shared or
communal spaces such as the sports gym. This was not considered to
be a sustainable solution and was impacting the quality of teaching
and learning; additionally, the gym was required to support GCSE
exams from mid-May.
Cabinet Member
approval was granted in May 2023 to award a contract to Portakabin
Ltd to provide the required temporary accommodation by September
2023 for an 18-month hire period at Park View School.
 
Construction and
installation of the temporary accommodation was completed on
programme in September 2023. Variations of the Cabinet approval
were granted by the Director of Schools and Learning in January
2025 and the Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Families in
July 2025, for an extension of the rental period whilst a permanent
solution to remediate the RAAC was developed.
 
A multi-disciplinary
design team was appointed in September 2024 to undertake a
feasibility study to determine the most appropriate solution to
fully remediate the RAAC.
 
Agreement for funding
of the recommended approach for a permanent solution to remediate
the RAAC was received from the Department for Education (DfE) in
May 2025, which on completion, would allow students to return to
the main building.
 
The proposed permanent
remediation was to replace the roof containing RAAC. This included
removal of all RAAC panels from the school, then installation of a
new deck and roof covering on Block A and the section of Block B
that contained RAAC. Consequential works, such as removal and
reinstatement of internal top floor partitions, windows and
services to enable replacement of the roof deck, were included in
proposals at that time. To undertake such invasive works and
minimise disruption to teaching and learning, levels 2 and 3 of
Block A and one section of Block B needed to be vacated. The
project scope included provision of temporary classrooms in
addition to those already at the school.
Following these works,
students would be able to return to their classrooms in Blocks A
and B and all existing temporary
accommodation would be removed from site.
 
An architect-led,
multi-disciplinary design team was required to develop the design
from RIBA stages 2 to 6 and assist Haringey in the preparation of
funding application documents to confirm the quantum of DfE
funding.
 
A proposal to procure
this resource using the London Construction Programme Dynamic
Purchasing System (DPS) was presented to the Cabinet Member for
Children, Education and Families on 3 September, who granted
permission to initiate a tender exercise. Soft market engagement
was undertaken to ascertain interest and availability within the
market, with positive feedback on the proposed approach.
 
The DfE agreed to
reimburse Haringey for the majority of
costs relating to the roof replacement and all temporary
accommodation. However, Haringey was still required to fund some
elements of the project. These mostly related to internal resource
costs.
 
All temporary
accommodation, including Portakabins
installed in July 2023 and additional temporary accommodation to
support the permanent RAAC remediation works, was required for
Haringey to fulfil its statutory duty to provide sufficient school
places. The permanent removal of RAAC was in line with UK
Government guidance published in August 2023.
 
A design development
contingency allowance was usually set at 10% from the end of RIBA
stage 1. However, based on the priced risk log prepared at
feasibility and pending further intrusive surveys, the Quantity
Surveyor for the feasibility stage recommended a 20% risk allowance
for this project. This was reviewed as part of the feasibility
approval process and was reported to the DfE. The recommendation
reflected the same contingency to ensure the design team fees
aligned with the maximum forecast construction costs.
 

Alternative options considered
 
Do nothing – The
Department for Education stated that all RAAC must be removed.
Therefore, doing nothing was not an appropriate option and the
Council would have failed in its statutory duty to provide
sufficient school places in an environment capable of delivering
the full curriculum to the requisite standard. The Council would,
therefore, have been deemed to be in breach of its statutory
duty.
 
In-house – There
was currently no resource within the Council that had the capacity,
specialist expertise or qualifications to deliver this service.
Invite open tenders
via Contracts Finder – This would have resulted in a
protracted tender period and delayed delivery of the project.
 
Extension of contract
for the design team that carried out the feasibility study would
not have complied with Public Procurement Regulations. Therefore, a
new tender exercise was required.
 
Use an alternative
public sector DPS – This would not have been compliant with
CSO 8.02, given the LCP DPS had been deemed suitable for the
requirements being sought.