The Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Tuesday, 7th April 2026, approved a contract uplift for refurbishment works at void properties and authorised the initiation of a tender process for a new housing development. Councillor Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader), presided over the meeting.

Contract Uplift for Refurbishment Works at Void Properties

Councillor Sarah Williams approved a variation to the existing contract with D C K Construction Limited for refurbishment works at void properties in Haringey. This uplift is necessary to fund additional works on properties recently acquired by the council for onward leasing to the Haringey Community Benefit Society (HCBS). The original contract, approved in May 2025, was intended to address a significant expansion in the number of properties requiring void works. An assessment indicated that an uplift in the contract value was required to bring these properties to a habitable standard.

The report highlighted that the contractor has the capacity to undertake the additional works. The alternative to this contract uplift would have been to not carry out the essential works, leaving properties uninhabitable and vacant, incurring significant costs for the council and leaving properties in a deteriorating condition. Another option considered was for the council's in-house team to deliver the works, but this was deemed unviable due to the projected increase in void properties and the need for rapid, specialist work to address Haringey's acute housing need. The contract uplift will ensure timely delivery of these improvements, contributing to the council's goal of reducing expenditure on expensive private sector accommodation for homeless households and allowing more families to remain within Haringey. The contract uplift will also support the council's commitment to delivering high-quality, well-maintained accommodation and will include provisions for enhanced water consumption and energy efficiency, aligning with the council's response to the climate change emergency. The contractor has also committed to providing social value through apprenticeships and local supply chain procurement.

Approval to Tender for New Council Homes at Land Rear of Woodridings Court

Councillor Sarah Williams also approved the initiation of a tender process for a new-build development of thirty-seven Council homes at land to the rear of Woodridings Court, N22 7RX. This development is part of the council's commitment to delivering 3,000 new Council homes by 2031. The scheme will be built on council-owned land and will provide homes let at Social Rent levels.

The original tender exercise for this site was unsuccessful. However, officers have developed a viable scheme, and the council is now seeking approval to retender in compliance with procurement standing orders. The development will increase the supply of affordable housing in the borough, addressing a significant gap in the council's existing housing stock and supporting long-term financial sustainability by reducing reliance on more expensive housing solutions. The scheme is designed to make efficient use of underutilised council-owned land and will contribute to the council's strategic objective of maximising land asset use. Furthermore, the development aims to address existing issues of anti-social behaviour by improving the site layout, enhancing natural surveillance, and introducing secure access arrangements. The scheme includes the installation of new lifts, upgraded refuse storage, and dedicated cycle facilities, which will improve the quality of the public realm and create a safer living environment.

The report noted that the construction costs presented are based on the current stage of design development and are subject to change once suppliers submit their bids. The total scheme cost will be confirmed following the competitive procurement process. The site, previously a car park and podium, had planning permission granted in March 2023 for thirty-three Council homes, which was later amended to thirty-seven homes through a Section 73 application approved in November 2025. The development is designed to meet Passivhaus principles and incorporate sustainable technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Community engagement was undertaken, with residents raising concerns about scale, height, parking, green space, and waste and recycling, some of which have been addressed in the scheme's design. The appointed contractor will be required to comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty. The alternative option of not proceeding with the development was discounted as it did not align with the council's strategic objective to deliver new Council homes.