An Officer Key Decision meeting was scheduled to consider works to address leaking Soil Vent Pipe (SVP) systems at Brasset Point and David Lee Point. The meeting was also scheduled to review the proposed expenditure for these works and the decision on whether to recharge leaseholders for the costs.

Brasset Point and David Lee Point SVP Works

The meeting was scheduled to consider proposals for repairing leaking Soil Vent Pipe (SVP) systems at Brasset Point and David Lee Point in the Abbey Road Ward. These works were scheduled to include undertaking surveys to assess damage caused by ongoing leaks, as well as fire compartmentation surveys to identify defects and breaches. The proposals also included managing resident engagement, access arrangements, and the coordination of works within occupied homes.

The report pack indicated that approval was sought to appoint Cardo, via direct award, for these works. The proposed contract value was £990,890.59, to be procured through a direct award under the Pretium Repairs and Empty Homes Framework, Lot 1A.

The report pack outlined that Brasset Point and David Lee Point have experienced persistent SVP leaks for several years, with previous localised repairs failing to resolve the issue. These leaks have reportedly resulted in damp and mould, damage to residents' homes, delays to fire compartmentation surveys and remedial works, internal staining and deterioration, and unpleasant odours and elevated humidity levels. The ongoing leaks were stated to present health and safety risks to residents and require urgent remediation.

The report pack also noted that water ingress had damaged existing fire-stopping around SVPs and other service penetrations, reducing the effectiveness of fire compartmentation measures. As a result, fire compartmentation surveys and remedial works within residents' homes had been paused.

The report pack recommended that the Corporate Director of Inclusive Economy & Housing was recommended to award a contract to Cardo South Limited (Cardo) via direct award for the permanent repair of the SVP systems, completion of surveys, and resident liaison. It was also recommended to approve expenditure of £990,890.59, including preliminaries and a 10% contingency allowance, for the delivery of the works and surveys over an estimated 10-week programme.

Furthermore, the report pack recommended that the Council should not charge leaseholders in the two tower blocks for their element of the costs of the works. This recommendation was based on the fact that major works to replace the Soil Vent Pipes were carried out in 2012 by contractors, and leaseholders were charged at that time. The report pack stated that the current defects have resulted in health & safety issues and damage to most flats in both blocks, and that the works to rectify these issues would amount to an additional average cost to each leaseholder of £4,000. Taking these matters into account, the report pack concluded there was no reasonable rationale for recharging these works to the leaseholders.

The proposed works were stated to support the Council's statutory responsibilities and corporate priorities by providing safe, compliant, and sustainable homes, and contribute to compliance with the Building Safety Act 2022¹, fire safety legislation, and the Council's landlord obligations.