Councillor Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning (Deputy Leader), approved the award of a significant contract for electrical inspection reports. This contract, valued at up to £5,893,605.30, will cover planned maintenance, repairs, and testing of electrical installation condition reports (EICRs) for domestic and communal electrical distribution systems for a maximum of five years.

Award of Electrical Inspection Reports Contract

The most significant decision made at the meeting was the approval of a contract for the provision of Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs) for domestic and communal electrical distribution systems. This contract, awarded to Tenderer A, will run for an initial two years with the possibility of three one-year extensions, bringing the total maximum value to £5,893,605.30. The contract is set to commence on 1st July 2024, and will utilise the JCT Measured Term 2016 contract form.

The decision to award this contract was driven by the need to ensure ongoing compliance with electrical safety regulations, specifically the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations (IET BS7671), which recommend EICRs be undertaken at least every five years. Haringey Council has approximately 15,812 properties requiring these inspections annually. The council previously implemented two temporary EICR contracts in September 2022 to address a backlog, which were self-reported to the Regulator for Social Housing. These temporary contracts were nearing their end, necessitating a new, longer-term arrangement.

The report highlighted that Haringey does not currently possess the in-house capacity to manage the required volume of EICR testing due to staff turnover. Therefore, external contractors are essential to maintain compliance and minimise risks to residents, staff, and properties from electrical hazards. The contract also supports the requirements of the Building Safety Bill 2022 and The Fire Safety Act 2021, contributing to fire safety in multi-storey, multi-occupancy buildings.

Alternative options considered included doing nothing, which would have led to non-compliance and potential risks, or extending the current temporary contracts, which was deemed not viable. Bringing the work entirely in-house was also considered but deemed not currently feasible due to a lack of specialist skills in the recruitment market.

The procurement process involved a competitive tender, with nine submissions received. Tenderer A was selected as the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT) based on a scoring methodology that weighted Quality (60%), Social Value (10%), and Price (30%). While not the cheapest, Tenderer A demonstrated strong quality and a competitive price, offering the best overall value. The report noted that the rates tendered represent an approximate 8% reduction in the base rate for an EICR compared to the existing programme.

The expenditure for this contract will be split between revenue and capital funding, with the 2024/25 costs contained within the approved budgets. Future programme funding will be incorporated into the annual budget setting process. The contract's contribution to the Corporate Delivery Plan 2022-2024, specifically Theme 5 (A borough where everyone has a safe, sustainable, stable, and affordable home ), was also noted. Furthermore, the implementation of the contract is expected to contribute to carbon and climate change reduction by ensuring efficient electrical systems and potentially identifying opportunities for residents to install more efficient appliances.

The decision also delegates the authority for the three annual extensions of the contract to the Director of Placemaking & Housing, in consultation with Councillor Williams.