The full recommendations to the Cabinet from Brent Scrutiny Committee after their meeting last night have now been published as a Supplementary report on the agenda of Monday's 10am Cabinet meeting. LINK
Supplementary
Paper – Cabinet: 11 October 2021
Agenda Item 9 (Proposals
for ownership & refurbishment of Granville New Homes Blocks)
Scrutiny of implications
for BHM (Brent Housing Management) and HRA (Housing Revenue Account) of proposals for ownership and refurbishment
of Granville New Homes blocks undertaken by Community & Wellbeing Scrutiny
Committee on Thursday 7 October 21
Scrutiny Committee recommendations
to Cabinet:
· That
the officers give assurance that the council has undertaken due diligence reviews
of its subsidiary bodies, including governance, fitness for purpose, financial
soundness and reputational risk.
· That
the officers ensure the Ridge report is made available to the scrutiny committee
and audit committee.
· That
the officers review arrangements for entering into contracts of this kind, in particular
to ensure adequate arrangements are made to ensure appropriate design/build
quality – and that the council has appropriate recourse where latent defects
are later identified.
· That
the officers ensure all potential contractors are made aware of the standards expected
by the council – and to ensure these are met before buildings are formally
accepted by the council.
· That
the council provide written assurance that it has taken or will take independent
legal and financial advice (including tax) regarding the proposals and next
steps.
· That
all contracts procured by the council and its subsidiaries include a review of past
delivery of any potential contractors.
· That the
council ensures where issues are evident in a particular project, all remaining
projects by the same contractor are reviewed as a matter of urgency.
· That
the officers review the steps that make-up the procurement, commissioning and
contract monitoring system to identify any gaps especially in relation to risk and
review aspects. Where these are identified that immediate action is taken.
· That
the council put in place arrangements to ensure learning about this case – and
any others raising issues of similar significance – is shared across the council
as well as with existing and potential future partners/contractors.
· That
the officers establish and publish a comprehensive plan for ongoing engagement
with residents.
