Councillor Ruth Gordon, Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy, approved contracts and contract extensions totalling over £2 million for the Broadwater Farm regeneration programme. The decisions included awarding a contract for Mechanical, Electrical, and Public Health (MEPH) engineering services, approving a strip-out contract for the Northolt tower block, and extending the demolition contract for the Tangmere block.

Approval of Contract for MEPH Engineering Services for Broadwater Farm New Homes Programme

Councillor Gordon approved the award of a Mechanical, Electrical, and Public Health (MEPH) engineering services consultancy contract for the Broadwater Farm New Homes Programme. The contract, valued at £663,280, is a key component of the wider £250 million regeneration programme for the Broadwater Farm estate. This decision will enable the council to complete RIBA stage four designs before appointing a contractor to build the new homes. The council had previously terminated a contract for this work due to a failure to agree on a build contract for the first phase. The new consultant will be responsible for the design, specification, tendering, construction, and commissioning of all MEPH installations. The council considered procuring a new contractor or resourcing the work in-house but concluded that appointing a specialist consultant offered the best value for money and was necessary to progress the scheme, as the council lacks the in-house resources to undertake this work. The regeneration of Broadwater Farm, which received overwhelming support from residents in a 2022 ballot, aims to deliver 294 new homes, a new park, an energy centre, and local amenities, with 45% of the new homes being family-sized. The scheme also incorporates significant carbon reduction measures, including the use of air source heat pumps, photovoltaics, and extensive cycle parking.

Broadwater Farm – Northolt Strip-Out Contract

A contract valued at £725,345 was approved for the strip-out of the Northolt tower block on the Broadwater Farm Estate. This work is designed to de-risk the future demolition of the block by removing asbestos, electrical and water services, decommissioning lifts, and clearing fixtures and fittings. This proactive approach aims to prevent additional costs and programme delays, learning from lessons from the demolition of the Tangmere block where a lack of prior de-risking led to unforeseen issues. The Northolt block, a nineteen-storey building constructed in the early 1970s, was found to be non-compliant with safety regulations and at risk of disproportionate collapse. Its demolition will make way for 68 new homes as part of the estate's regeneration. The council also approved the delegation of authority to the Director of Broadwater Farm Estate to authorise expenditure and extend the contract period if necessary, and to issue a letter of intent up to £100,000 to enable the contractor to secure their supply chain. The procurement process involved tenders evaluated on 30% quality and 70% cost, with social value accounting for 10% of the quality score. Tenderer A was selected as the preferred bidder.

Contract Extension for the Demolition of the Tangmere Block, Broadwater Farm Estate

Councillor Gordon approved a contract extension for the demolition of the Tangmere block, adding £580,000 to the existing contract, bringing the total value to £3,523,115. This extension is necessary due to unforeseen works required by UK Power Networks (UKPN) to relocate high and low voltage cables and decommission the electrical substation within the Tangmere site. These works are essential before the demolition can be fully completed, which is now anticipated by December 2024. The original demolition contract was awarded in January 2022 for £2,043,115, with a previous extension of £900,000 approved in April 2023. The current variation is required because UKPN's revised health and safety requirements prevent them from excavating near the scaffolding installed for the removal of a Grade II listed mosaic mural. The agreed solution involves relocating the cables to the main highway, a process that UKPN advised would take place in September/October 2024. The additional costs cover the contractor's demobilisation and remobilisation, extended site presence, and other variations to accommodate UKPN's requirements. The funding for this extension will be drawn from the £15 million risk and contingency budget for the New Homes Programme, impacting the available contingency for new build projects at Broadwater Farm. The demolition of Tangmere is a crucial step in preparing the site for the Council's New Homes Programme.