Report Date: January 16 Report Author: R Lawton & D Thompson

BLAENAU GWENT COUNTY BOROUGH COUNCIL

Leader and Members of the Executive Report to Committee

Six Bells Renewal Area Quarter 3: 2015 - Report Subject 2016 Project Update

David Thompson & Robert Lawton – Report Author Public Protection

Report date January 2016

Directorate Environment & Regeneration

Portfolio Environment

Date of meeting 1ST June 2016

Date signed off by 18 th May 2016 Monitoring Officer

Date signed off by 18 th May 2016 Section 151 Officer

Date signed off by Chair 19 th May 2016

Key words Six Bells, Renewal Area, 2015/2016

Report Date: January 16 Report Author: R Lawton & D Thompson

Report Information Summary

1. Purpose of Report* 1.1 The purpose of this report is to provide an update, as at 31 st December 2015, on progress against the objectives agreed by Executive Committee in September 2013 for the Six Bells Renewal Area and the current budget position.

2. Scope of the Report* 2.1 The Six Bells Renewal Area is due to complete in 2015/16. This report provides an update on scheme progress and other relevant matters, as at 31 st December 2015.

3. Recommendation/s for Consideration* 3.1 That Members comment on the content of this report and the progress made towards the completion of the Six Bells Renewal Area.

Why this topic is a priority for the Council?* Report author to identify links to the main corporate strategies. Single Corporate Performance Operating Transforming Other Integrated Improvement Management Model (please state) Plan (SIP) Plan (CIP) Improvement (TBG Framework Programme) (PMIF) Commitment to long running priority scheme

Reporting Pathway* Report author to identify proposed reporting pathway. (To include dates where possible) Directorate Corporate Audit Democratic Scrutiny Executive Council Other Management Management Services (please Team (DMT) Team (CMT) Committee state) yes yes no no yes yes no no *Denotes mandatory section

Report Date: January 16 Report Author: R Lawton & D Thompson

Main Report

1. Background and Context* 1.1 The Six Bells Renewal Area was declared in October 2003 and will end finally in 2016. In December 2011, the Council agreed a series of works that would be undertaken until the closure of the scheme in 2015. However, since 2011, there have been reductions in local funding and also Specific Capital Grant from Welsh Government has now ceased.

1.2 As a result, in September 2013 Executive Committee agreed a revised funding and work programme to take the Six Bells Renewal Area to its closure in 2016. A further update was approved at Executive Committee in February 2015. This report presents an update on that position at the end of Quarter 3 2015/16 with the scheme due to end in mid 2016.

2. Options for Consideration (to be completed in every case where relevant to the report topic and information) 2.1 That Members note the content of this report and the progress made towards the completion of the Six Bells Renewal Area in 2016.

3. Performance Evidence and Information* 3.1 As at 31 st December 2015, the work on all active phases is continuing towards completion. The current position is as follows:

i Phase 6ii – Upper Arrail Street Windows & Doors – This scheme is now complete.

ii Phase 7 – Lancaster Street (odds) etc - Group Repair Scheme – Practical Completion achieved – awaiting End of Defects due 9 th March 2016 – delays had occurred in the installation of some windows and in completing remedial works to roofs due to delays by the main contractor and a sub-contractor in attending site.

iii Phase 7A – Alexandra Terrance – Roof, Window and Door Scheme – delayed due to 2 No. late entrants into the scheme and outstanding defects. Practical Completion achieved – awaiting End of Defects due 9 th March 2016.

Report Date: January 16 Report Author: R Lawton & D Thompson

iv Phase 7B – Lancaster Street (odds) – Front Garden Boundary And Retaining Walls And Steps scheme – This was originally tendered for in July 2014 but the contract was not awarded due to a funding shortfall which has now been resolved (see 5.2 below). A revised tender has been accepted and work is in progress with a projected completion date of 17 th April 2016. However, following a prolonged period of severe rainfall when no work could proceed, it is likely that this date will be significantly exceeded. v Phase 8(i) – Arrail Street (No’s 1- 81 odds) Roof Scheme –now complete. vi Phase 8(ii) - Arrail Street (No’s 1- 81 odds) Windows/Doors Scheme - delayed – Contractor problems/delays in completing outstanding works. Given the current contractor’s lack of performance, outstanding items remaining have been omitted from this contract to enable completion to be achieved. These works will be completed by other contractors yet to be appointed. Completion has now been determined and officers are now re- surveying the outstanding works relating to 7 properties ready to go out to tender to appoint a new contractor in accordance with the Council’s procurement procedures. vii Alexandra Road – Land Stabilisation Works. End of defects has been achieved and final payment made. This scheme is now complete.

3.2 As the funding and agreed works come to an end Officers will now develop an exit strategy, in conjunction with local ward members.

3.3 A full scheme progress table is outlined in Appendix 1.

3.4 ARBED2/ERDF (Energy Efficiency) Schemes. These are separate schemes to those outlined in Appendix 1 because they were separately funded and administered by Welsh Government and Melin Homes respectively:

i Lancaster Street (odds No’s 1 to 71) – This scheme is now complete. Works included the application of insulated external render to the front, rear and gable walls (where relevant) of 33 dwellings. (This work complimented the Phase 7 Group Repair Scheme works to roofs windows and doors).

Report Date: January 16 Report Author: R Lawton & D Thompson

ii Arrail Street & Upper Arrail Street –The works consisted of the application of insulated external render to all 139 homes in Arail Street & Upper Arail Street. Of the 122 homes surveyed all received external wall insulation with one house also receiving an exchange boiler. This scheme is now complete. iii Other Six Bells - Melin Homes and the Welsh Government agreed to expand the scheme to include “low level measures” to the following streets: • Road • Alexandra Road • Chapel Road • High St • New High Street* • Jubilee Road • Bridge St • Hafod Fan Terrace* • Hafod Fan Road* • Ivydale Cottages* • Bryn Terrace* • Victoria Road* (* additional streets included following representation by Council officers)

This was further extended to include houses in: • Alexandra Terrace • Arail Street • Blenheim Road • Bryngwyn Road • Coronation Road • Cwm Nant-Y-Groes • Eastville Road • Griffin & Upper Griffin Streets • Kimberly Road • Lancaster Villas • Llwyn On Road • Marlborough Road • Pretoria Road • Richmond Road • Windsor Road

Report Date: January 16 Report Author: R Lawton & D Thompson

This scheme is now complete and of the 323 homes surveyed 248 measures were installed including heating improvements, voltage phase regulators, loft insulation and new insulated doors.

4. Impact Assessment Against Proposals / Options* 4.1 Impact assessment against the relevant sustainable development principles: • Thinking for the long term – The Renewal Area has been developed with sustainability in mind since 2003. • Taking an integrated approach - The scheme has met the relevant well-being goals by improving living standards, energy efficiency, environmental improvements and sustainable facilities. • Taking a preventative approach – As above • Collaborating – As indicated in the report with Contractors, Welsh Government & Melin Homes. • Involvement – Extensive consultation was undertaken in declaring the renewal Area in 2003 and has continued since that time. Members have received regular update reports. • Equality impact assessment screening – No Adverse Impact

5. Financial Implications* 5.1 The budget plan for the Renewal Area until the end of the scheme was approved at Executive Committee in February 2015. Appendix 2 shows the current budget position with revised estimates and the out-turn position at 31 st December 2015. The budget position has been reconciled with the Capital Accountants. Income is projected from outstanding participant contributions towards scheme works and is dependent on 100% collection. Delays due to weather with Phase 7B (Lancaster Street Boundary Walls) will mean that a significant amount of funding will now need to be carried over to 16/17. The projected funding shortfall of £22k will be sourced from income to be received from repaid grants.

5.2 Officers previously reported a funding shortfall that prohibited the completion of the front boundary walls in Lancaster Street (odds No’s 1 to 71). This shortfall has now been met from capital slippage from 2014/15 and the scheme is in progress.

Report Date: January 16 Report Author: R Lawton & D Thompson

6. Risk Implications* 6.1 The project Risk Assessment has been updated and is contained in Appendix 3 to this report.

7. Staffing/Workforce Development Implications* 7.1 Not applicable to this report

8. Environment, Economy & Infrastructure Scrutiny Committee Consultation. 8.1 Members of the Executive Committee considered this report on 18 th April 2016. Members received assurance that a new contractor would be appointed to complete Phase 8ii and commended the Executive Member and Officers for ensuring that all the necessary funding was now in place to complete the intended schemes in 2016.

9. Conclusion* 9.1 The Six Bells Renewal Area is due to complete in 2016. This report provides an update on scheme progress and other relevant matters, as at 31st December 2015.

*Denotes mandatory section

List of Appendices

1 Scheme Progress as at 31 st December 2015

2 Budget Out-turn at 31 st December 2015

3 Scheme Risk Assessment