Decision details

To consider a pilot scheme for the provision of modular accommodation for single vulnerable homeless people as part of the Council Housebuilding Programme.

(1)        That, subject to the receipt of planning permission, a Pilot Scheme be undertaken at Norway House, North Weald (the Council’s Homeless Persons Hostel) to provide three modular units of temporary accommodation for six single vulnerable homeless people, with shared kitchen facilities, as an alternative to expensive and less desirable bed and breakfast accommodation, together with additional storage facilities and some replacement car parking provision;   

(2)        That authorisation be given to the submission of a detailed planning application for the proposed provision;

(3)        That Section 6.1 of the Council’s Procurement Rules be waived to enable Mac Container Company Ltd, a local supplier of modular accommodation based at North Weald Airfield, to be the Council’s Nominated Supplier of the accommodation units;

(4)        That competitive tenders be invited from contractors based on Constructionline to supply and install the modular accommodation (supplied by the Council’s Nominated Supplier) and to undertake all ground and infrastructure works, through a JCT Intermediate Form of Contract;

(5)        That the estimated £345,000 cost of the Pilot Scheme be funded from the existing Capital Programme budget for the Council Housebuilding Programme, which was currently subject to a temporary moratorium, with 30% of the costs funded from 1-4-1 Receipts;

(6)        That revenue budgetary provision of £5,000 per annum be made (funded from HRA Balances for the first year and incorporated within the HRA Budget in future years) to fund the appointment of a security company to provide security officers to attend Norway House, on an ad-hoc basis as and when required, in order to assist, support and protect staff and other residents on occasions when they feel at risk from residents, particularly out of normal office hours and when lone working;

(7)        That, subject to the success of the Pilot Scheme, consideration of whether or not, and how and where, the provision of temporary modular accommodation could be deployed in the District on a wider scale in the future be undertaken by the Housing Portfolio Holder: and

(8)        That a review of the Pilot Scheme be undertaken after one year, starting from when the pods are first inhabited.