Councillor Lucia das Neves, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Wellbeing, approved the award of a contract for refurbishment works at Canning Crescent Health Centre, significantly increasing the project's budget. The meeting also noted information regarding filming at council meetings.

Canning Crescent Health Centre Refurbishment

Councillor das Neves approved the award of a contract to Kind Diamond Consortium (KDC) to undertake refurbishment works at Canning Crescent Health Centre. This decision includes approving a client contingency and the issuance of a Letter of Intent. The project's budget has been increased from £4,259,000 to £5,918,805.

The decision to award the contract to KDC followed significant delays and the withdrawal of previous contractors. Cosmur Construction (London) Ltd, the original contractor, withdrew from the site due to delays, subsequently entering a Compulsory Voluntary Arrangement. Diamond Build Plc was then considered for a direct award, but they also entered Voluntary Liquidation.

In response to concerns about the increased cost and the chosen provider, it was explained that the tender from KDC was above the initial estimate due to inflationary pressures. However, this increase was still considered less than the RICS rate. An independent Quantity Surveyor confirmed that the tender represented value for money for the Council. Furthermore, a financial analysis of KDC revealed no concerns, and the company is already part of the Council's Major Works framework.

The refurbishment is urgently needed to provide an improved Adult Mental Health Service facility, including respite units, a recovery college, and a cafe for the Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey (BEH) Mental Health NHS Trust. The delay in opening has been reduced to January 2025. The completed works will also facilitate the relocation of the Clarendon Road Recovery College, allowing Clarendon Road to be adapted for homelessness accommodation.

Alternative options considered included doing nothing, which would leave the refurbishment incomplete and fail to meet the project's objectives. A competitive tender via the Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) or LCP Major Works Framework was discounted due to potential risks and significant programme lengthening, with a direct award deemed the most efficient and best value option. An in-house delivery was also discounted due to a lack of available resources and specialist expertise within the Council.

Filming at Meetings

The Cabinet Member noted information regarding filming at meetings, as outlined in the relevant notice.