Agenda item

To receive an update on the Canada Estate / Devon Mansions Major Works review.

Cllr King first addressed the committee explaining the delays in the public engagement and the report of the independent consultants (Pellings) which led to a delay in circulating this interim update report and that a final report will be circulated in due course.

The committee then heard from Paul Murtagh, Interim Design and Delivery Manager (North) on the Progress Update – Review of the Canada Estate and Fair Street/Devon Mansions 2017/18 QHIP Major Works Projects, this interim report covered the following topics

• Task and Finishing team
• Process and governance
• Work of Pellings on cost, time and quality of works.

The committee then asked a question on the following topic

• Reasons for delays in Pellings report and Canada Estate tenants unwilling to engage in meetings

The Chair requested that the committee hear from resident of Canada Estate, Barry Duckett on this topic

• Pellings did not attend the Canada Estate tenants meeting at Canada Hall
• Work done by Contractor Durkins not up to contract specifications, £1.9m more needed from the HRA to complete works at Canada Estate
• Lack of in-depth surveys before works carried out; freezing flats; lack of window repairs/ replacements

The committee then heard from another resident of Canada Estate, Michael Robertson on the following points

• Report highlights main issues with estates; council officers have been accessible and transparent
• Major delays in carrying out of works; lack of proper contract management of works
• FOI request for information from residents have not received holding responses, Home Ownership team has continued to bill leaseholders for works

The committee then heard from Ina Negoita, Northwest Local Housing Forum on the following themes

• National Audit investigations report; Internal and external structural reports on Canada Estate

The committee then heard from ward councillors Cllr Stephanie Cryan and Cllr Sam Dalton covering Canada Estate/ Devon Mansions on the following topics

• High costs, poor quality works and communications with residents
• Council responsibility in delivering the works
• Steer from residents at TRA meetings, lessons learned and included by Officer Paul Murtagh in the actions
• Apologies from Pellings attending meetings with residents and tenants

The committee then asked questions on the following points

• Consultant incentivisation, use of warranties para. 33 & 34 of report
• Lack of resident engagement with Devon Mansions

Paul explained to the committee that contractors and consultants get paid on a sliding scale, consultants can make some suggestions for cost saving suggestions and delivering more value for money, in materials, access setup etc.

The committee learnt from Hakeem past contracts have clauses where consultants can get incentivised with fees, if they increase their scope of delivery. Contractors can offer cost saving solutions without comprising on quality.

On warranties Paul explained that certain constructions such as flat roofs, wherein the council can pay a premium to get insurance back warranties, this covers the cost of repairs even if the company goes bankrupt. Works that are covered by warranties by the councils have a tag on the council systems to carry out essential planned maintenance works like unclogging of drains to maintain warranties.

Cllr Dalton informed the committee that 20-30 residents have engaged with the council for feedback, and this has diversified the range of responses from Devon Mansions residents.