Decision details

To consider the relocation of Housing Repairs & Housing Assets from the Epping Depot & Civic Offices to vacate the Depot site & free up accommodation at the Civic Offices.

(1)        That, subject to planning permission and contracts exchanged for the planned redevelopment at St Johns Road in Epping, a new Repairs and Maintenance Hub be constructed on Council-owned land at Blenheim Way, North Weald to enable the Housing Repairs and Maintenance Services to be co-located, thus freeing up land at the existing Epping Depot site for the planned redevelopment at St Johns Road and free up office accommodation at the Civic Offices, Epping;

(2)        That Contract Standing Order C6 (Contracts in Excess of £50,000) be waived and that Pellings LLP be appointed to undertake the architectural and all other multidisciplinary building consultancy services for a fee of £170,000, subject to:

            (a)        a presentation by Pellings LLP confirming their experience, expertise and   proposed approach to the delivery of the project  to all members of the Cabinet; and

            (b)        following which the Housing Portfolio Holder be authorised to confirm or     otherwise the formal appointment of Pellings LLP;

(3)        That Mears be appointed to act as Project Managers to deliver the relocation/co-location project, as a “Key Deliverable” under the terms of their existing Repairs Management Contract, at their tendered rate;

(4)        That the capital costs, estimated to be around £3.3million including construction costs and fees, associated with the new Repairs and Maintenance Hub be funded from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA);

(5)        That a Supplementary Capital Estimate in the sum of £300,000 to cover fees and works in 2015/16 be recommended to the Council for approval, with the balance of £3million being included in the Capital Programme for 2016/17;

(6)        That the required HRA funding be provided through either revenue contributions to capital outlay (RCCO) and/or further borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB);

(7)        That the Director of Resources be authorised to determine:

            (a)        the most appropriate form of capital funding; and

            (b)        if further borrowing was required then the most appropriate PWLB loan to secure and obtain;

(8)        That the transfer of the land from the General Fund to the Housing Revenue Account be recommended to the Council for approval, with an appropriate adjustment being made in the balances due between the funds;

(9)        That a planning application be submitted for the new Repairs and Maintenance Hub; and

(10)      That the provision of land for a play area to be provided by North Weald Bassett Parish Council not be included as part of the development, unless a formal request was received from the Parish Council in advance of the submission of the planning application.