Agenda item

Report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Director of Community & Children’s Services on the Housing Major Works Programme – Progress Report.

The Sub-Committee was informed that COVID-19 continues to have a significant impact on the Housing Major Works Programme. Nevertheless, the City of London continues to make good progress with several projects. . The Department has decided to temporally defer the heating project at Middlesex Street to allow the completion of other projects to minimize disruptions to residents.

The Chairman asked as to when the Major Works Programme would come to an end, as Members have asked for a timeline for the work period so that this can be tracked. A Member commented that there is funding in place for the current Major Works Programme but, not for future works identified as part of the Savills Stock Condition Survey. With the current loss of income from commercial tenants, there is significant pressure on the HRA and, future funding streams cannot be confirmed at this stage.

The Assistant Director agreed to bring a report to the Sub-Committee on the future Major Works Programme every other meeting cycle to ensure it remains on the radar. 

A Member expressed concern that the report indicates that the Window Replacement Programme is showing an end date of 2026, which is significantly beyond the remainder of the current five-year programme. It was explained that the majority of the window programme is expected to be completed by 2022/23. The Member also asked as to where the reroofing programme will sit.

The Assistant Director agreed to bring to the Sub-Committee an update report that sets out the incremental changes from the initial programme to the current one. Members were reminded that the existing Major Works Improvement Programme has increased significantly to incorporate over £25million of extra works including fire safety improvement works and, re-roofing projects.  

RESOLVED – That the Sub-Committee noted the report.