The Executive Director (Communities and People) has submitted a report to seek approval and delegated authority to award works contract(s) to replace all applicable resident front doors in Evenlode, Windrush and Hockmore Towers, Oxford with certificated compliant fire doors.

Cabinet is recommended to:

1.      Grant project approval to allocate the approved budget of £2.6m agreed by full Council in 2021/22 to enable progression of thereplacement of all resident front doors at Plowman, Evenlode, Windrush and Hockmore Towers, Oxford, with certificated compliant FD30 fire doors; and

2.      Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Communities and People) or the Head of Housing Services to award the fire door replacement programme contract(s) to ODS, or others as required, following the procurement process outlined in the Constitution.

The Executive Director (Communities and People) had submitted a report to seek approval and delegated authority to award works contract(s) to replace all applicable resident front doors in Evenlode, Windrush and Hockmore Towers, Oxford with certificated compliant fire doors.

Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing, reported that work to replace doors at the other towers had either already been completed or was currently underway.  The budget for the works had already been allocated; therefore no new spending was being sought. 

It was noted that some issues had been raised relating to the weight of fire doors, which had caused difficulty for frailer residents.  Alternatives were being investigated for the doors to communal areas.  Councillor Smith advised that letters would be sent to residents to inform them of the forthcoming works and it was suggested that when following-up and scheduling the work, Housing Officers could take the opportunity to identify any special needs.

Cabinet resolved to:

1.      Grant project approval to allocate the approved budget of £2.6m agreed by full Council in 2021/22 to enable progression of thereplacement of all resident front doors at Plowman, Evenlode, Windrush and Hockmore Towers, Oxford, with certificated compliant FD30 fire doors; and

2.      Delegate authority to the Executive Director (Communities and People) or the Head of Housing Services to award the fire doorreplacement programme contract(s) to ODS, or others as required, following the procurement process outlined in the Constitution.