Agenda item

Report of Director of Community and Children’s Services.

Members considered an Issue Report of the Director of Community and Children’s Services in respect of concrete repairs to the Barbican Estate.  Members noted that this report had been agreed by the Projects Sub Committee and, as it was on the regular approval track, approval at the next ‘Gateway’ of the City of London Corporation’s Projects Procedure would be delegated to the Chief Officer.

In response to a question, Members noted that the risk of delays to assets was considered low.  Members also suggested that they should be given more information in respect of budgetary increases of this size.  Officers advised that it had been necessary to retender ‘Lot 1’, as only 1 contractor had tendered.  ‘Lot 2’ had not been affected, as it had attracted a considerable number of tenderers.  Furthermore, the increase in access costs; ranging from abseiling to scaffolding and additional works to the car parks, had also driven up costs.  Members noted that the reasons for the increases had been set out in the previous ‘Gateway 4’ report. 

RESOLVED, That -  the project budget be increased to £1,294,775.22; comprising £909,295.00 for the tendered repair works; £285,480.22 for the completed concrete testing programme; £40,000 for consultancy fees and £60,000 to cover staff costs.