Part 1 (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
REPORT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF NDC AND
STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABLE REGENERATION
TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR HOUSING ON 15th SEPTEMBER 2008 AND TO THE
LEADER OF THE COUNCIL (BRIEFING ON THE 15th SEPTEMBER 2008)
TITLE: LICHFIELD ESTATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Lead Member for Housing
(i)
(ii)
That Lead Member for Housing gives authority for P. Casey (Land
Reclamation) Ltd, one of the City Council’s contractors for landscape
works, to be appointed to undertake environmental Improvements to the
following properties, 12 to 114 Gerald Road (evens only), 1 to 7 St
George’s Place (odds only), 1 to 83 Lichfield Street, 2 to 24 Rugely Street
(evens only), 1 to 24 Manifold Street, 1 to 28 Tabley Street and 1 to 43
Walsall Street (odds) and 2 to 16 Walsall Street (evens).
That Lead Member approves the package of works (insofar they apply to
privately owned properties) as being an exception to the current Private
Sector Housing Assistance Policy.
The Leader of the Council
(iii)
That the Leader of the Council gives authority for P. Casey (Land
Reclamation) Ltd, one of the city council’s partner contractors for
landscape works, to be appointed providing that the target cost and fees
fall within the approved budget allocation.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The scheme looks to improve the quality of public realm, image of the estate and
increase community safety.The scheme also follows on from the block improvement
work to the private houses on Gerald Road and is sympathetic to emerging
masterplan options for the Charlestown Riverside site.
Following an outline sketch scheme an initial estimate of £600,000 was approved by
NDC Appraisal Panel on the 25th of June 2008.
It is proposed that a target cost and guaranteed maximum price is agreed in line with
final consultations which will be completed by August 2008 for the works to the
estate.
The work will be undertaken by P. Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd, one of the city
council’s partner contractors for this category of work. It is proposed that authority is
given for P. Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd to be appointed and that the target cost
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and fees fall within the approved budget allocation. Approval is also sought for
authorisation for P. Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd to work on City Council properties
(Salix Homes managed).
Consents will be obtained from individual owner occupiers and landlords included in
this phase of works, prior to commencement of the scheme. The scope of the works,
where they are carried out to privately owned properties, falls outside the usual
scope of works contained within the Council’s Private Sector Housing Assistance
Policy (2007) and will therefore need to be agreed as an exception to the Policy.
Negotiations and a formal agreement have been made with Urban Vision. This is in
respect of feasibility & design, and professional fees, on behalf of NDC, and in
conjunction with Salix Homes, to ensure that these costs reflect genuine
competitiveness and value for money, not just in terms of this scheme, but within the
NDC/Salix Homes joint environmental schemes over the next three years.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
NDC Development Framework Document
NDC Project Appraisal Form – Lichfield Street Environmental Improvements 2008/09
ASSESSMENT OF RISK: Low – The work to be undertaken does not include any
road widening or engineering works and also there are no legal agreements to be
made with owner occupiers or private landlords.
Where works to private properties is required, only a license to work on the property
is needed, if this is not forthcoming the contractors can move to the next eligible
property without detriment to the schedule.
SOURCE OF FUNDING: – Charlestown and Lower Kersal New Deal for
Communities Housing and Physical Environment Budget.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
Contact Officer and Extension No: Rita Hinchliffe – Urban Vision
Date Consulted: 31st July 2008
Comments: Letters for consent to be issued to owners during consultation period
(begins 18th August).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: An allocation of £600,000 has been budgeted for this
scheme.
Based on this budget figure, the expenditure for the project (including Urban Vision’s
fees) will be as follows:
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Budget allocation
Breakdown
Contract
Fees
Total Cost
2008/09
£374,192.28
£44,903.01
£558,793.13
2009/10
£124,730.76
£14,967.67
£139,698.43
Total
£498,923.04
£59,870.68
£558,793.72
It is anticipated that the partner contractor’s target cost, along with associated
professional fees will fall within the allocated budget. These have been negotiated
with Urban Vision with reference to a rolling programme of works in the NDC area
Design and preparation of drawings are to target cost agreement for the scheme.
This also includes for site supervision and a CDM Co-ordinator role.
Contact Officer and Extension No: Nigel Dickens ext 2585, Anne Lythgoe ext 8518
Date Consulted: 18th Aug 2008
COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS: The NDC will work with Salix Homes and the
City Council to ensure communication and publicity is according to guidelines and
that when the project is complete an evaluation report is completed. There will be
regular updates of progress at the Physical and Environmental Task Group and all
local councillors will be informed of progress of the scheme.
VALUE FOR MONEY IMPLICATIONS: This scheme offers value for money as it
builds on the success on 2 phases of work on the university and Gateway terraces.
Negotiations are currently taking place to use the same compound as these schemes
making further savings on initial set up costs.
Discussions with Urban Vision have ensured that a competitive fee structure has
been formally agreed due to the programme of work over the next two financial
years, this gives certainty over costs and fees for the overall project not only to Urban
Vision but also contractor partners.
CLIENT IMPLICATIONS: Implications for the client are that due to the above value
for money implications, the client (NDC and Salford City Council) can be assured that
investment in the housing stock is maximised. The work will complement decent
homes work that has already been carried out by Salix Homes on the estate.
PROPERTY: N/A
HUMAN RESOURCES: No additional staff are needed to deliver this scheme as it
will be delivered in partnership between Salix Homes, Urban Vision and officers
based at the NDC.
CONTACT OFFICER:
NDC Lead Principal Officer (for client): Rob Ramwell 607 8538
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NDC Regeneration Officer : Konrad Magdzinski 0161 607 8536
Urban Vision Project Manager: Cassie Wheadon 0161 779 6046
WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): Irwell Riverside
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES:
Salford Community Plan: The project will contribute towards the theme of “A city
that’s good to live in”.
Salford City Council Pledges: This project complies with pledges 1, 2, 5 and 7.
Salix Homes Vision: “Improving Neighbourhoods, making them better” and
“Improving homes, making them Decent”
DETAILS:
1.0
Background
1.1
The Lichfield St estate was designed and built in the 1930s which means
that despite the houses having generous gardens there are inadequate
roads (narrow and below today’s design standards), and little provision
for off street car parking.
This leads to very congested on street parking with resulting problems
for pedestrians (particularly disabled people and residents with young
children), and a poor visual appearance. This is compounded by the
steep levels to many gardens which precludes off street in-curtilage
parking. The estate has a number of alleyways which cause problems
with crime and anti-social behaviour.
1.2
Although the estate is popular, and has a low turnover and void level, it is
important that this is sustained and that the estate is not allowed to
deteriorate. Salix Homes are undertaking a programme of Decent
Homes investment in their stock which consists of new kitchens,
bathrooms, and upgrading of heating and electrics.
NDC funding for the environmental works will complement this and
ensure the long term popularity and sustainability of the estate. The
estate has also benefited from investment in new and improved
community and health facilities at the Energise Centre, and a community
park (Cromwell Gardens).
1.3
Three consultation exercises were held with local residents (July and
December 2007, and May 2008). These were well attended and
identified the following issues as priorities for residents:

Parking and circulation
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


Condition of boundary walls and fences
Alleyways
Anti social behaviour in certain parts of the estate, especially the
alleyways
Charlestown and Lower Kersal Physical Environment Task Group
approved the scheme on 16th April 2008 and the NDC Board approved
the details of the scheme on 28th July 2008.
2.0
Details
2.1
The projects overall objective is to implement environmental
improvements to provide safer streets and environment for pedestrians,
with improved parking provision and vehicle access to properties on the
attached schedule.
2.2
All properties irrespective of tenure have been included in the project
design to ensure that the scheme is successful. Works will include:

New 1.2m high timber fencing and metal gates to the frontages of
ALL houses on the estate

Provision of new timber fencing to the rear of properties on
Walsall Street. This area was also originally scheduled for new
drives, however the gradient of the land behind these houses,
meant it is not financially viable to install new drives in this area.

Dropped kerbs to improve access for wheelchairs/buggies

Closure and or improvements to alleyways within the estate,
location and future use to be determined through community
consultation where crime or vandalism is an issue for residents.
This will result in a reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour
which is associated with certain alleyways.

Bitmacing and resurfacing of the alleyway that runs from Tabley
Street to the petrol station on Cromwell Road

Raised fencing
Lichfield Street

Blocking off passages inbetween houses where necessary
(where needed) around the sub station on
Overall, the scheme will create a safer more attractive environment,
thus creating greater community confidence, investment and as a
result an increase in demand for living in the area.
2.3
Funding for this scheme will be as follows:

New
Deal
for
Communities
£600,000
(Lower
Kersal
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Environmental Improvements 2008/09)
2.4
The standard sketch scheme consultation has been undertaken with all
directorates of the City Council and external public agencies whose may
be affected.
2.5
The proposals have been viewed by the appropriate Planning Officer
(within the Housing & Planning Department) and they have confirmed
that planning permission will not be required.
2.6
Procurement for the implementation of the scheme will be P. Casey
(Land Reclamation) Ltd, one of the Council’s partner contractors for
landscape works.
2.7
This is a scheme to be implemented on a partnership basis (Urban
Vision, Contractor, Salix Homes and Client - NDC). In particular
partnering will continue to bring the following benefits:
 A long term relationship between the council and the contractor to
deliver improvements over 4 year period.
 Improved health & safety procedures
 Genuine local employment & training
 Continuous improvement & quality of work
 Enhanced customer satisfaction
3.0
Conclusion
3.1
The scheme will significantly improve the immediate environment for
local people. It will also provide residents with enhanced security in
terms of new fencing to the fronts and alleygating to the rear.
Overall, the scheme will create a safer more attractive environment, thus
creating greater community confidence, investment and as a result an
increase in demand for living in the area.
3.2
Authority is therefore sought for P. Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd, one of
the city council’s appointed partner contractors for landscape works to
undertake the Lichfield Street environmental improvements, works to
commence Sept 2008.
Tim Field – New Deal for Communities, Chief Executive
Paul Walker – Strategic Director of Sustainable Regeneration
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