Purpose

Victoria Street is a council-owned residential building used to accommodate accepted homeless households. In December 2023 Cabinet approved the demolition and rebuild of the development to provide up to 122 new homes. The project is intended to provide a revised solution to the homelessness crisis in London, improve the quality of the homes and be developed in line with the councils sustainability commitments.

Following call-in of the above decision officers are now returning to cabinet with the outcome of a further review and additional approaches that add value through using the building as move on supported accommodation for up to three years whilst progressing the design development and planning of the option agreed at December 2023 cabinet. The recommendations to cabinet are

• Acknowledge the overview and scrutiny response to call in
• Approve the required budget to progress to planning and associated procurement activities
• Approve procurement of the Newham Living Model

Decision

Decision:

For the reasons set out in the report and its appendices Cabinet RESOLVED to Agree to:

i)  The continued progression of the demolition and rebuild of 10 Victoria Street as per the agreed option 2.1.1 agreed by Cabinet in December 2023.

ii)  To procure pre-construction activities outlined in paragraphs 4.18 to 4.22 and the award of the appointment of Bell Philips Architects from the start of RIBA stage 3 to RIBA 3.5, up to a value of £1.3m.

iii)  The proposal for 10 Victoria Street to be used as supported accommodation on an interim basis as per paragraphs 4.3 - 4.9 below.

iv)  To procure a contract for a supported accommodation service for an interim period of three years with the option of a 1-year extension (subject to relevant approvals) at an estimated maximum contract value of £6m covering a four-year period in total. Any extension would need to be agreed by Cabinet.

v)  To delegate to the Corporate Director of Adults and Health in consultation with the Lead Members for Adults and Health, and Housing to authorise the lease arrangements for the supported accommodation model and to delegate the contract award.

vi)  That the Executive Response to the Overview and Scrutiny ‘call-in’, following the decision of Cabinet in December 2023, as appended is noted.

Alternatives Considered

a)  The full range of options considered for 10 Victoria Street are within the December 2022 report- sell, retain use, refurbishment, demolish and re-build and the December 2023 report (Demolish and rebuild or refurbish). These reports can be found in section 9.

b)  The alternative options provided by overview and scrutiny are noted in appendix 1