Content

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST FOR THIS ITEM:
 
None
 

RESOLVED:
 
That
Cabinet:

Approved, pursuant to
Contract Standing Order 2.01(b), the commencement of a procurement
exercise to procure two contracts for the provision of repair works
in connection with legal disrepair claims for an initial period of
3 years, with up to two further one-year extensions totalling a
maximum term of 5 years at a contract sum stated in the exempt
portion of the report.

Reasons for
Decision
It was essential to maintain continuity of high-frequency repairs
completions in disrepair cases, as this was the main action by
which legal costs were reduced. If the service had stopped work for
any period of time, increased legal
expenditure would have been incurred. It was therefore essential to
have adequate contractual provision to service
this demand at all times.
It was a strategic
objective of the Council to ensure cases were managed within the
required timescales and to reduce costs associated with this type
of work. Previous work and investment had reduced case levels over
previous years, and this procurement ensured Haringey Council could
appropriately manage future caseloads.

Approximately 35% of
the previous year’s gross spend on works was attributed to
capital works. Accordingly, this contract was conceived at a value
which was expected to mitigate the disparity between required
contract value and the budget position, by building in projected
capital works values over the period.

Residents would
otherwise have remained living in properties which were in a state
of disrepair, presenting a risk to health and wellbeing to
residents, in addition to financial and reputational damage to the
Council, for want of appropriate contractor resources.

Further legal breaches
would otherwise have arisen needlessly, attracting negative
perception from the Courts and causing reputational damage to the
Council.

Alternative Options Considered

Do
nothing
This option was rejected because it would have left ongoing legal
cases without an appropriate facility to complete works in a
compliant manner, at the required scale to meet the overarching
strategic objectives to reduce claims and the costs associated with
them.
Utilise the Direct
Labour Organisation (DLO) to deliver works
This option was rejected as the DLO was already under significant
pressure to deliver the Responsive Repairs Service, which performed
a vital responsive function for residents. The nature and scale of
the work required in disrepair claims was more appropriately
delivered by contractors under existing operational practices.
Accordingly, this option was not a viable proposition for either
the short- or medium-term planning of the Council.