Elected Member Briefing - Progress of Multi-Storeys Strategy

About this briefing note

Report by: Richard Welch, Senior Project Officer

Date: 20 July 2023

Subject: Update on progress of Multi-Storeys Strategy

Responsible Officer: Nicola Lennon, Service Manager, Communities, Housing, Capital Improvements and New Build

Details

Purpose

The note provides you with an update on progress with our Multi-Storeys Strategy for Perth City. This programme will see major improvement works carried out to the interiors and exteriors of the blocks at Pomarium, Market, Milne & Lickley, and Potterhill.

The work will significantly enhance the interior communal areas of the blocks and transform how they look on the outside.

We plan to carry out the improvement strategy in two parts - one to cover the works for Pomarium and Potterhill blocks, and another for the blocks at Market, Milne and Lickley Courts.

Briefing Information 

Following an unsuccessful procurement process in 2022 due to only one bid being received, it was decided to use an alternative route to procure a suitable contractor.

The Invitation to Tender for Project to Retrofit Potterhill, Pomarium, Market, Milne, and Lickley Court Multi-Storey Flats in Perth to meet Energy Efficiency Standard in Social Housing Compliance was published via PCS-Tender on 13th February 2023. 

This was a mini competition under the Scotland Excel, Energy Efficiency Contractors 1320 Framework. This framework provides a route to procure a single contractor to provide an end-to-end service. 

There were three contractors on this framework that could deliver our scope of works, and all three expressed an interest in tendering for the work. Tender documents were sent out to these contractors in February.

After a rigorous evaluation process and a voluntary 10-day standstill period the successful contractor is A.C. Whyte & Co Ltd.

A.C. Whyte & Co. Ltd is an established, experienced main contractor delivering major refurbishment and external wall insulation projects throughout the UK. The company works with local authorities and Housing Associations and specialises in major refurbishment and upgrades designed to maximise energy efficiency. Their services include fabric repairs, roughcast, render, insulated render, roofing, cladding, installation of new windows, doors and UPVC fascias and soffits, joiner and plumbing works.

Initial letters will be sent out the week commencing 19th June 2023 to all tenants, residents, owners, and private landlords in the blocks providing an update and an overview of the next steps.

After the pre-start meeting with A.C. Whyte & Co Ltd. we will develop a joint communications and engagement strategy and compile a programme for initial surveys of the properties.

Installation of Environmental Sensors within properties

We have continued to make good progress with the installation of environmental sensors within some of the flats within the multi-stories.  

As of 9th June 2023 there have been 68 properties fitted with the Aico Environment sensors.

Information from the sensors is being fed back to a central portal indicating environmental conditions in the properties as well as highlighting any issues with the smoke & heat detectors.

Alerts based on the information from the sensors are being reviewed by team members and action taken to support tenants with heating and ventilating their property correctly. 

Tenants can download an app to a mobile device which allows them to monitor the environmental conditions within their homes and take any action to improve conditions.

However, there have been a few tenants not wishing for the sensors to be installed