The meeting of the Officer Key Decision for Newham Council on Friday 4 September 2026 was scheduled to consider a grant funding application for cladding remediation works at two residential blocks. The decision maker, Paul Kitson, Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing, was to consider recommendations regarding this application.

Grant Funding Application for Cladding Remediation at Aubrey Moore Point and Albert Bigg Point

The meeting was scheduled to discuss a grant funding application for cladding remediation works at Aubrey Moore Point and Albert Bigg Point. The report pack indicated that the Council was recommended to agree to enter into grant funding agreements with Homes England. This would facilitate the receipt of £1.335 million in pre-tender support funding, with further sums expected to cover the full cost of cladding remediation upon the Council entering into a works contract.

The report detailed that both Albert Bigg Point and Aubrey Moore Point are 22-storey high-rise residential blocks. The external cladding was removed in 2023, and a grant application originally made under the Building Safety Fund in 2022 was subsequently transferred to the Cladding Safety Fund administered by Homes England in January 2026. The approval of this funding is intended to support pre-planning and project development activities, with an estimated cost of approximately £1.3 million. These costs would be charged to the HRA Capital budget and funded by the Homes England grant.

The proposed decision was presented as supporting Priority 5: Homes for Our Residents, by aiming to improve energy efficiency, ensure buildings are water-resistant, and enhance resident satisfaction with their homes. The report also noted that the reinstatement of cladding would assist in improving damp and mould issues experienced by residents and enable the blocks' removal from special measures, returning them to a 'Stay Put' rather than a partial 'Simultaneous Evacuation' policy.

The report outlined that the Council has the power to enter into such agreements under section 1 of the Localism Act 2011, which provides a general power of competence. It was also stated that no charge should be submitted to any leaseholder in the blocks who holds a Qualifying Lease, as such charges are prohibited by the Building Safety Act 2022.

The report also touched upon procurement implications, noting that procurement activity would be required for consultancy services and cladding remediation works, in accordance with the Council's Contract Standing Orders and the Procurement Act 2023. The proposed remediation works were expected to exceed relevant procurement thresholds.

The report pack indicated that the lead member for Housing would be consulted on this decision. It also highlighted that while no adverse equality impacts were identified from accepting the grant funding, temporary impacts associated with the remediation works, such as access, noise, and disruption, would be considered and managed during the project phases.

The decision maker for this matter was identified as Paul Kitson, Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy and Housing. The report was prepared with reference to the Public reports pack 04th-Sep-2026 Officer Key Decision.pdf.