The Officer Key Decision meeting scheduled for Tuesday 25 August 2026 is set to consider a contract award for stock condition surveys. Details are available in the attached documents.

Contract Award for Stock Condition Surveys

The primary item scheduled for discussion is the potential award of a contract to Bellrock Advisory LLP for the delivery of Phase 2 of the Council's Stock Condition Survey Programme. This programme aims to conduct up to 6,000 internal and external stock condition surveys for the Housing Revenue Account portfolio, alongside up to 2,000 communal and block surveys, and associated Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) assessments.

The report indicates that this programme is crucial for providing the Council with the necessary asset intelligence to comply with building safety obligations under the Building Safety Act 2022 and the Decent Homes Standard. It will also support future investment planning and the achievement of decarbonisation objectives. Furthermore, the programme is linked to the Council's obligations under a Voluntary Undertaking given to the Regulator of Social Housing in April 2026, following a C4 grading issued in October 2024 which highlighted failings in housing management.

Bellrock Advisory LLP is proposed for the contract due to their demonstrated capability in Phase 1 of the programme. The report suggests a direct award to Bellrock Advisory LLP via the South Eastern Consortium (SEC) Consultancy Framework, Asset and Development Consultancy Lot. This approach is recommended to ensure continuity of service and minimise delivery risk, as Bellrock has shown an understanding of Newham's housing stock and existing data structures. The proposed contract value is up to £980,000, and it is expected to run for approximately nine months.

The report outlines that the completion of Phase 2 will increase the stock condition survey coverage from approximately 55% to around 80% of the housing portfolio, aiding in the achievement of a Housing Improvement Plan milestone requiring 70% survey completion by October 2026. The decision maker for this Officer Key Decision is Paul Kitson, Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing.

Alternative options considered and rejected include an open market procurement, which would lead to significant delays, and a mini-competition through an available framework, which was estimated to take a minimum of eight weeks. The direct award is favoured to maintain programme momentum and meet the Council's commitments to the Regulator.

The report also touches upon financial implications, with the budget for the surveys to be contained within the 2025/26 to 2029/30 Investment Stock-Assets budget, funded by leaseholder contributions, HRA reserves, and HRA borrowing. Legal implications include the Council's general power of competence and its duty to facilitate its functions. Equalities implications suggest that improved stock condition data will support future investment decisions for safe and healthy homes for all residents, with no adverse equality impacts identified. The procurement implications highlight the use of the SEC Framework and the justification for a direct award based on qualitative delivery factors and reduced risk. Finally, the report notes a climate emergency implication, as comprehensive asset intelligence supports decarbonisation objectives.