Decision details

To recommend an increased budget allocation, and the award ot contract to carry out works.

The Executive RESOLVED,

1.            To recommend to Full Council that an additional budget allocation of £784,000 be agreed for Phase 4 of the Ockford Ridge Regeneration Project, bringing the total allocated budget to £1.765m, to enable the deep retrofit of seven homes, piloting the use of green renewable energy sources and enhanced fabric, to proceed according to the previously approved specification as detailed in Exempt Annexes 1 – 4; and

2.            Subject to the agreement of Full Council of the additional budget allocation, approved the following:

i.             Entering into a contract with the preferred contractor for the delivery of the works;

ii.            Entering into any related contractual documentation (including collateral warranties or agreements) relating to the project; and

iii.          Giving delegated authority to the Executive Head of Legal and Democratic Services to approve the final form of legal agreements.

Reason: The Council has already committed to the delivery of the regeneration of the Ockford Ridge estate which includes both regeneration and refurbishment of homes. To date, three phases of refurbishment have been completed and a budget of £981,000 was approved at full Council in February 2022 to deliver this next phase. The project will deliver modern, safe, and secure, sustainable homes and support delivery of the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2020 – 2025, Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy 2020 - 2030, Carbon Neutrality Action Plan 2020 - 2030 and Housing Asset Management Strategy 2022-2030 commitments and targets. The next phase of retrofit at Ockford Ridge provides the opportunity to implement a pilot which takes the whole house retrofit approach with an enhanced fabric using external and floor insulation and replacement of the use of fossil fuels with green renewable energy sources and technology.

[This matter has already been considered by the Resources O&S Committee and is recommended to Council for decision.]