Part 1 (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABLE REGENERATION AND CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OF NEW DEAL FOR COMMUNITIES.
TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR HOUSING ON THE 18 NOVEMBER 2008
(INFORMAL) AND TO LEAD MEMBER FOR HOUSING ON THE 2 DECEMBER
2008 (FORMAL) AND TO THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL (BRIEFING ON THE 1
DECEMBER 2008)
TITLE: LONDON STREET ESTATE PHASE 1 ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPROVEMENTS. CHARLESTOWN AND LOWER KERSAL NEW DEAL FOR
COMMUNITIES AREA.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the Lead Member for Housing :(i)
Gives authority for P. Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd, one of the City
Council’s appointed contractors for landscape works, to be
appointed to undertake the London Street Environmental
Improvements Phase 1, to the following properties, Lissadel Street
1 to 35, Trentham Lawns 1 to 29 (odds) 4 to 30 (evens), Rockley
Gardens 1 to 51 (odds) 4 to 48 (evens), Hardwood Court 1 to 17
and Cumbria Walk footpath.
(ii)
Gives authority for works carried out to privately owned properties
that fall outside the scope of works covered by the Council’s
Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy (amended 2007) in
relation to block improvement schemes to be funded as an
exception to the Policy.
(iii)
Approves the budget cost of £400,000 (inclusive of fees) fro the
scheme including a forward commitment of £349,759.00 from the
2009-10 capital programme.
(iv)
Approves a start on site in February 2009 provided the targets cost
does not exceed budget costs.
The Leader of the Council
(v)
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 are within the approved budget.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
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This report relates to the environmental works that are proposed for the
London Street Estate.
Following an outline sketch scheme an initial estimate of £400,000 was
approved by NDC Appraisal Panel on 24th September 2008 for the
Environmental Improvement on London Street Estate.
The work will be undertaken by P. Casey (Land Reclamation) Ltd one of the
city council’s partner contractors for work.
Consents will be obtained from individual owner occupiers and Landlords
included within these works, prior to commencement of the scheme. The
scope of the works, where they are carried out to privately owned properties,
fall outside the usual scope of the works contained within the Council’s Private
Sector Housing Assistance Policy (2007) as it relates to block improvement
schemes and will therefore need to be approved as an exception to the Policy.
A formal agreement has been made with Urban Vision in respect of feasibility
& design and professional fees on behalf of NDC and in conjunction with Salix
Homes to ensure that these costs are competitive and represent value for
money.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
NDC Development Framework Document
NDC Project Appraisal Form – London Street Estate Environmental
Improvements 2008/09
ASSESSMENT OF RISK: Low –
Formal permissions - within the work to be undertaken there are no road
widening or engineering works and there are no legal agreements to be made
with owner occupiers or private landlords.
Where work 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.
Contractor capacity - The contractors have confirmed they have the capacity
to carry out this work.
Community support - Community consultation began early September 2008
and 72% of residents living on the estate have been consulted and confirmed
they are in favour of the proposals.
Potential disruption by subsequent work - Salix Homes will ensure that all
contracts for future decent homes works will place an explicit obligation on
contractors to deliver their works having due regard for all environmental
treatments undertaken by NDC and to make good any damage caused as a
result of those works.
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Ongoing maintenance - Salix Homes have a repairs and maintenance
obligation of any works undertaken on public stock and have confirmed this
would apply to the works involved in this scheme.
Potential cost overruns - Urban Vision have provided a budget figure, the
expenditure for the project (including Urban Vision’s fees) will be 400,000.
However, this figure has not yet been finalised. If the Guaranteed Maximum
Price exceeds this financial expectation the following measure will be
undertaken:
 Work through the partnering arrangement will help achieve the best
possible value from partners.
 Value engineer the scheme to ensure it does not exceed the £400,000.
 If value engineering is required, the community would be re-consulted
on amendments.
SOURCE OF FUNDING: Phase 1 – Charlestown and Lower Kersal New Deal
for Communities Housing and Physical Environment Budget.
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
Contact Officer and Extension No: Rita Hinchliffe – Urban Vision – 779 6088.
Date Consulted: August 2008
Comments: Letters for consent to be issued to owners during consultation
period (December 2008).
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The Principal Group Accountant for Sustainable Regeneration has confirmed
that a provision of £400,000 for these works is included within the Private
Sector Housing Capital Programme 2008-10.
This is in line by the estimated cost received from Urban Vision:
Contact Officer and Extension No: Nigel Dickens – 2585
Date Consulted: 3rd Sept 2008
COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS: The NDC will work with Salix Homes the
City Council, Urban Vision and the Contractors, to ensure communications
and publicity is prepared according to guidelines and that when the project is
complete an evaluation report and satisfaction survey are completed. All local
councillors will be kept informed of progress of the scheme and be invited to
the monthly progress meetings.
VALUE FOR MONEY IMPLICATIONS: This scheme offers value for money
by letting this contract through the Council’s partnering framework, we will
ensure that not only will we receive value for money for the specified works
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but also any opportunity to add future value for example, by capturing any
opportunities for local employment and training.
This programme of works does not clash with any current or proposed plans
for decent homes work on this estate. Salix Homes and their contractors (H T
Forrest) are not schedule to undertake the decent homes work until 20102011.
CLIENT IMPLICATIONS:
The clients (NDC and Salford City Council) can be assured that the
environmental works planned for the London Street estate are highlighted
within the NDC Development Framework 2004 which has been endorsed by
Salford City Council.
By carefully aligning the programme with the Decent Homes investment via
Salix Homes this will increase the desirability and sustainability of the estate.
PROPERTY: 83 properties managed by Salix Homes and 16 privately owned
will be improved.
HUMAN RESOURCES: No additional staff are needed to deliver this scheme
as it will be delivered in partnership between Salix Homes and NDC officers
based at the NDC.
CONTACT OFFICER:
NDC Lead Principal Officer (for client): Derek Wunderley 0161 607 8541 or
Mary Rolfe 0161 607 8539 John Wooderson 0161 793 8723.
Urban Vision Project Manager: Ruth Smith 0161 779 6176
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 Business Plan “Improving Neighbourhoods, making them better”
and “Improving homes, making them Decent”
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DETAILS:
1.0
Background
1.1
There are particular issues within the London Street estate It was
constructed in circa1970s and consists of houses and flats.
Despite having generous gardens to the rear, tenants / owner
occupiers do not have individual drives which means they are
below today’s design standards.
Moreover, the public realm in
the main consists of open public drives, walkways which are in
poor condition - i.e. the surface is patchy and uneven, with large
pot holes. This leads to health and safety issues for pedestrians
(particularly disabled, elderly residents and young children).
1.2
The whole of the London Street estate, received new street
signage in 2005.
1.3
The estate has recently benefited from investment in
environmental improvements works to Cumbria Walk in terms of
resurfacing,
chicanes
and
knee
rails.
The estate has a low turnover and void levels.
1.4
Salix Homes aims to undertake a programme of Decent Homes
investment works which includes new kitchen, bathrooms and
upgrading
of
heating
and
electrics
in
2010-2011.
1.5
A outline sketch scheme has been developed and community
consultation began early September 2008. Final consultation is
likely to be completed (with each resident, owner occupier and
landlord) by the end of November. This will inform the final
proposals for the scheme.
This scheme will complement the
Decent Homes schedule to take places in 2010-2011.
1.6
Charlestown and Lower Kersal Physical Environment Task Group
approved this scheme on 21st May 2008.
1.7
NDC Appraisal Panel approved this scheme on 24th September
2008.
1.8
Government Office North West approved this scheme on 17th
October 2008.
2.0
Details
2.1
The scheme will include the following:
 Construct in-curtilage hard standings and lockable metal
vehicle gates (where possible),
 Alley gates (where agreed with residents),
 Landscaping of blighted land,
 Creation of defensible space to front of properties,
 Resurfacing and replacing flag stones were appropriate.
2.2
The project will include both properties managed by Salix Homes
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and privately owned properties in order to ensure that it
comprehensively addresses the issues of crime, fear of crime and
sustainability of the estate. Privately owned properties are pepper
potted throughout the estate if these were excluded from the
scheme there would be a risk of not achieving the above.
Funding for this scheme will be as follows:

New Deal for Communities £400,000 (London Street
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 who may be affected.
2.5
The proposals have been viewed by the appropriate Planning
Officer and planning permission will be sought where appropriate.
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
The scheme will be implemented on a partnership basis through
the partnering framework established by the city council in
response to the Egan Report.. In particular partnering will continue
to bring the following benefits:
 A long term relationship between the council and the
contractor to deliver improvements;
 Improved health & safety procedures;
 Local employment & training;
 Continuous improvement & quality of work;
 Enhanced customer satisfaction;
 Meeting equality and diversity requirements.
3.0
3.1
Conclusion
If implemented this scheme will significantly improve the
immediate environment for local people, by creating a safer, more
attractive environment, thus creating greater community
confidence.
Tim Field
New Deal for Communities, Chief Executive
Paul Walker
Strategic Director of Sustainable Regeneration
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