URL: https://democracy.stratford.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=4172

Decision Maker: Head of Environmental and Operational Services

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: To procure and award contract to Higham Roofing and Construction.   The intention was for Solar PV to be installed to the roof at the Leisure Centre in Summer 2026.  However, following a raft of surveys it was noted that the felt flat roof had blistered.  There was also evidence of localised internal water penetration.   Blistering flat roofs are quite often a result of moisture being trapped within the build-up and turning to vapour in warm and hot conditions.  Thus, a moisture map survey was procured that has showed numerous areas of roof build-up being saturated.  This therefore explained why the roof had blistered and why water staining was evident internally.   The roof has failed and is beyond repair meaning that the Solar PV installation cannot proceed.  It would be folly to install such a system on a failed roof, as the cost of removing and reinstalling the PV in several years would be wasteful.   The preference would be to execute these roofing works as soon as possible, however, the small parking area at the Centre (relative to numbers of users and staff) means that taking spaces out of use for contractor compound is not possible.  Several options to avoid this have been explored, such as a ‘remote’ compound; leisure centre staff parking on the roads; staff parking at The Grange Hall, however, all have been discounted as being either unsafe or anti-social.   Of particular note is that there is an agreement in place with the adjoining school whereby their car park can be used by the Centre when they are not in session.  Thus, the six week school shutdown is the ideal time to carry out this work (the Solar PV installation is now scheduled for Summer 2027 for the same reasons).   The preferred supplier for the roofing work has stated that they can deliver the works in this 6 week period provided they get an order by 19th June 2026.  This then allows mobilisation time for materials delivery and satisfaction of health and safety (CDM) requirements.   In order to try and understand the limitations of the contractor base / market dialogue was started with Higham Roofing and Construction several weeks ago.  It has allowed us to ascertain without doubt that it is impossible to produce an ITT and tender to the market between now and June (when any contractor would need an order to allow for mobilisation and CDM requirements etc.).   If the window of Summer 2026 is missed for this work, then it can’t happen until Summer 2027, and the Solar PV will have to be further delayed to 2028.  This is very negative for SDC’s reputation and delays the carbon reduction benefits that the scheme will bring.  It also increases price risk given current and predicted inflation rates.   Surveys were commissioned at pace once the blistering roof had been identified in March 2026, with the moisture map and specification being received late the week of 4th May 2026. Award to Higham Roofing and Construction; or Aborting the project.

Date of Decision: May 20, 2026