Councillor Sarah Williams, the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters, and Planning, approved the extension of the night shelter at Osborne Grove and awarded a contract for borough-wide bin chute repairs. She also approved a variation to an existing contract for surveying services.

Osborne Grove Night Shelter Extension

The Cabinet Member approved the continued use of the Osborne Grove building as a night shelter and assessment centre for individuals experiencing rough sleeping. This interim arrangement will last for two years, until 31 March 2027, or until a long-term plan for the site is established. Authority has also been delegated to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Finance, to approve any further extensions within this timeframe.

Osborne Grove, a former nursing home, has been operating as a night shelter since 2020, initially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic's Everyone In directive. The service is considered a critical component of Haringey Council's strategy to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, having reportedly reduced the number of people sleeping rough in the borough by nearly 40% in its first year. The extension ensures continuity of provision while long-term options for the building are explored. The service accommodates individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF), who often have complex health needs that are exacerbated by street homelessness.

The council has secured significant funding for the night shelter through the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) 2025-2026, with a portion of this grant specifically allocated for night shelter provision. This funding is expected to make the proposal cost-neutral. However, a projected shortfall for 2026/27 has been identified, which may be addressed through potential rent increases on General Fund properties or by adjusting the service's staffing model and capacity if grant funding is not fully realised. The report highlighted that if the service were to cease, the council would likely revert to using private bed and breakfast placements, which are less cost-effective and offer less suitable accommodation, potentially leading to an increase in rough sleeping. The cost of maintaining the building if left empty would be approximately £33,560 per annum for security and compliance.

Borough-Wide Bin Chute Repair, Maintenance & Installation Contract

A contract has been awarded for the maintenance, repairs, and upgrades of bin chute systems across the council's housing stock. The contract, valued at an estimated £850,000 plus inflationary factors, will run for an initial three years with the option for two one-year extensions. This decision is considered a Key Decision and was approved by the Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters, and Planning.

Bin chute systems are vital for hygienic waste disposal and fire prevention in high-rise and flatted properties. Many of the council's existing systems are ageing and require urgent attention to meet British Standards. The new contract will cover regular maintenance, emergency repairs, replacement of damaged components, fire-stopping improvements, and full chute replacements where necessary. The upgrade works are intended to enhance the safety of residents, particularly the most vulnerable, and contribute to improved health and safety outcomes, fire risk reduction, and estate cleanliness.

The contract was procured through the London Construction Programme (LCP) Minor Works Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). The decision to award the contract to Tenderer A was based on a 60% Quality / 40% Price evaluation, with Tenderer A scoring 83.20 points. The alternative of not undertaking the work was rejected due to increased fire and personal safety risks for residents. Using in-house resources was deemed not viable due to a lack of suitably trained and certified operatives, and existing contracts had expired or reached their extension limits.

Variation of Current Surveying Contract

The Cabinet Member approved a variation to the existing contract with Faithorn Farrell & Timms LLP (FFT) to provide additional surveying services. This variation will increase the contract value to allow for the payment of completed surveys, particularly those related to damp and mould.

Haringey Council engaged FFT in March 2023 to support its Housing Repairs Service with specialist surveying skills, which were not fully available in-house. The demand for surveys, especially for damp and mould, has increased significantly following heightened public awareness and focus on these issues, particularly after the tragic death of Awaab Ishak. The report stated that continuing to instruct FFT was the most economically advantageous route, as procuring a new contract would have caused significant delays and incurred additional costs. The existing contract rates were also considered favourable compared to current market demand.

The variation will cover the payment for surveys already undertaken and any future works issued within the remaining contract term, which extends to 14 February 2026. The total contract value will increase from £450,000 to £827,000, an additional £377,000. The council has also recruited five full-time in-house surveyors to reduce future reliance on external providers. The Finance department noted that the number and frequency of contract variations in housing is a concern and presents a financial risk.