Decisions

This report requests approval for the writing off of debts above £100,000 and provides information on other debts to be written off under officer delegated authority.

Summary of Decision: The Cabinet Member for Streets has approved a procurement strategy for a new Highways contract by September 2026.

Reasons for Decision: Westminster’s second largest set of contracts is up for re-procurement which is necessary to ensure that the Council’s statutory and non-statutory Highways related services continue to be provided. Through re-procurement, there will be the opportunity to update many items relating to materials, process and procedures associated with the delivery of the Highways service, ensure that current legislation and guidance is reflected within the new specifications, and that it supports the delivery of Fairer Westminster objectives.

Hopkinson House was acquired by Westminster City Council (WCC) in July 2024 for use as Temporary Accommodation. The acquisition was made as part of WCC’s Temporary Accommodation Acquisitions Programme and will be used to meet the increasing demand for emergency housing in Westminster. 

The site is located at 88 Vauxhall Bridge Road, in the Vincent Square ward and Vincent Square Conservation Area. The site accommodates a vacant 4-storey Victorian building constructed in the 1900s, which was most recently used as a hostel for vulnerable adults. 

Following its successful acquisition, WCC is now seeking to procure a Multi-Disciplinary Consultancy Team (MDCT) to redevelop the site, which aims to deliver on a number of Fairer Westminster objectives, as set out in Section 3 of the report.  

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters approves that the Council to enter into Professional Services contracts with a value greater than £300,000 to carry out design development of Hopkinson House for use as Temporary Accommodation.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Renters also:

·       Notes delegated authority to the Executive Director of Regeneration, Economy and Planning to approve other Professional Services and associated costs totalling £970k, broken down in Appendix A. This results in a total budget approval requirement of £2.07m.   

·       Approves expenditure of £1.27m to progress the scheme through to the conclusion of RIBA Stage 3.   

·       Notes that the balance of expenditure under these contracts and other Professional Services and associated costs (totalling £806k) will come forward for approval as part of the Outline Business Case.