Agenda item

To receive a report on the management of the Capital Works Programme in relation to housing.

6.1.      The Committee received a report from Councillor David Harvey (Cabinet Member for Housing) and Jim Paterson (Divisional Head of Housing Property) on management of the Capital Works Programme in relation to Housing. The Cabinet Member also introduced Jeff Tourmentin (Senior Construction Manager), Gavin Ridgewell (Senior Client Programme Manager) and Anthony Jones (Asset Investment Manager). The Committee discussed matters including:

6.2.      The arrangements where the council has agreed two preferred contractors and whether this still held value for the HRA and leaseholders.  The Committee also sought clarification in regard to the risk surrounding Axis.  Officers explained that all works under the contract are open book, which allows the council to review and ensure pricing is comparable with market costs, therefore was confident that the contracting arrangements were still delivering value for money.

6.3.      The Committee sought clarification on the timescale for the decarbonisation of PDHU.  Officers advised that this would be at least one year away as there is a large amount of investigation that needs to take place before the works can start.

6.4.      The Committee queries how the council support sustainability whilst decreasing the carbon footprint of the councils housing stock.  The Committee also queried the agility of the programme when faced with the complexity of Covid, the impact of Brexit on labour and increasing material costs.  With regards to sustainability officers discussed the roof and windows programmes in balance with the council’s future plans.  Officers also discussed the Construction Leadership Council and designing out future risks and using control measures.  Officers also discussed the recruitment and apprenticeship programmes for the construction industry.

6.5.      The Committee queried the Capital programme and Fire Safety delays and what was the current status given that the recommendations have been made regarding implementing the fire safety measure to the councils housing stock.  Officers advised that the programme has been reprioritised and there is a separate fire and safety committee.  Officers advised that there is a programme where work is prioritised and is on track.

6.6.      The Committee queried service charge and the communication with residents as to how and when the money is being spent. The Cabinet Member agreed that information could be made more clarity for residents, and this was something he was reviewing.