Programme Update
We did previously write to you with regarding the latest version of the programme. It has been challenging for us with the information that we have been given and sharing with yourselves not aligning with where we are currently on site.
We have attempted to accelerate the programme which has required a number of signoffs. It has brought up health and safety issues around crash decks, which meant that the original designs needed to be changed due to the increased heights, which is the reason why elevation three wasn’t started. In a pro-active attempt, Ardmore have moved to elevation four to keep momentum.
We are urgently trying to fix these issues, and this has been escalated with the senior management team at Ardmore. We are going to be workshopping with them about what we need to see from them and how we will move forward. We have agreed some dates set over the next few weeks to do this.
Quality Assurance Process
We have received a number of queries from you, regarding some issues with the quality of the work that has being carried out around site. For anything internal that you believe may be related to the cladding remediation works please continue to repot these issues as you have been doing. These reports are being logged and investigated. In some instances, we may not be able to issue an immediate repair, as the cladding may need to be resolved first, however these will be completed at the end of the project.
All external works carry a three-part QA process, typically as each element of work is completed on the façade the sub-contractor carrying out the work will carry out their assessments. Following this a joint assessment will be completed with Ardmore and lastly our appointed site inspectors will attend and carry out a review on the whole. It is only after these steps that each section of work can be signed off and works progress to the next phase.
Some of external elements that have been reported have not yet undergone all of the steps listed above and we ask you to bear with us as we move through these external quality assurance stages.
Compensation
We can confirm that we have presented a compensation paper to our board. We have developed a policy that applies to Stratford Halo scheme, meaning residents here will be compensated.
We are currently finalising the details of this offer so that we can write to residents. We aim to be able to provide a further update in this towards the end of March 2023.
EWS1 Assistance
We are working with our appointed fire engineers to identify when this may be possible and keep you updated on the expected date of issue for the EWS1. The EWS1 form will be approved when the works are complete, but if we can achieve this sooner, we will update you.
If you require an updated letter of comfort, please reach out to your property management officer and this can be provided to you.
Next resident meeting and communication plan
From your feedback, we understand that our current methods are not working as well as we had hoped, and we are working on a better form of communication moving forward. To make sure that we are communicating with you from a platform that is reaching you efficiently and consistently.
We are going to commit to more days on-site conducting surgeries and walk-arounds. This will include Ardmore representatives and members of the housing and building safety teams being present to answer any questions you may have. We plan to start this process in the next few weeks.
We plan to meet with you again towards the end of March 2023 and will keep you posted on the details closed to the time. Please speak to Mark and Alyson as we are always happy for resident involvement and feedback.
NHG Contacts for direct enquires
firesafety@nhg.org.uk
halofireenquiries@nhg.org.uk
March FAQs
Q1. Can you advise which elevations have already been signed off?
Answer- The process is all scaffolding and cradle systems remain in place until each elevation has been fully signed off by our 3-step quality assurance process. If there is any of that infrastructure still in place, the likelihood is that full sign off requirements have not yet been met.
Due to the sequence of works, the cladding elevations have essentially been finished except for some of the 1st floor level soffits. This doesn’t mean that the cladding works themselves haven’t been signed off. We are working on a n update detailed programme which will confirm the signoffs in place and add elevations back to the programme that have not had final finishing details completed
Q2.The programmes are still being released without any dates. Can the next programme include dates we can refer back to?
Answer- Yes, we can include dates. We hope that the programme that we workshop with Ardmore is the programme that is going to be fully risked and incorporating of all of the QA process. All works will be listed, including all elevations and soffits. This programme will be what Ardmore will work to moving forward.
The intention is that the new programme we issue to you will support ongoing tracking, so that you will have clear visibility and will know how far we have progressed. As the programme progresses you will receive updates as to whether the programme is on track or not.
Q3.There are not enough contractors on site. What are NHG going to do to monitor this?
Answer- Yes, we are tracking this. This is also a factor for the workshop that we will be holding with Ardmore in the coming weeks.
At the start of last year when working on elevation 6, the programme that they were working to was not an accelerated programme at this point. It had less labour and was less intensive. Following the feedback, we instructed them to change that programme in increase the labour. These requests required certain signoffs and the majority have now been granted and labour appointed. There have been some issues with the supply chain on the cradles, but this issue has since been sorted. Elevation three will be the first elevation that we are intending to carry out simultaneously, meaning there will be a cradle hanging from every section.
Q4.Ardmore have said that they are not going to complete this year. Will they incur any financial penalties because of this?
Answer- We will not discuss contractual elements in this forum but programme issues will be included as part of our workshop discussions.
Q5. Is there a timeline for the mould remediation process to assess and fix?
Answer- Yes. We encourage all reporting if anyone has any mould issues in their property. Please send all of these issues to the Fire Safety inbox; firesafety@nhhg.org.uk / halofireenquiries@nhg.org.uk
To date we have had 2 surveys carried out and the results where that there haven’t been any water penetration from the external façade or from the windows.
Q6. How can you assure us that you are keeping a close eye on works and contractors on site?
Answer- We have been very clear with what is acceptable and unacceptable and what our expectations are. Our mechanism to ensure that the works are progressing is via the tracking of the programme. This is currently out of sequence, and it has been difficult to track. Ardmore do have a site foreman and this person is responsible for ensuring that the workers are doing as is expected along with our own site inspector that frequent the site.
Q7. Can you help us understand what benefit the 4 week look ahead is, when the project is out of sync?
Answer- The 4 week lookahead was put in place to give a concrete view on what we were working on over the next 4 weeks as an attempt to track and inform on what the immediate works would be.
This was at a period when the programme had elements that had not yet been signed off by Ardmore. We noticed that the programme was not working. Moving forward, we do not plan to continue in this way.
Q8. Are the weatherproofing sheets (put up where the cladding has been) past their warranty date?
Answer- No. we have had this looked into and they are fine but subject to an assessment as and when Ardmore get to each elevation. If there is the need for any replacements this will be done.
Q9. Will the new programme include a completion date?
Answer- We don’t expect the end date to change despite the disparity with the current programme. When we issue the new programme the sequence of work will become clearer.