Grenfell Tower Emergency Arrangements

Following the fire at Grenfell Tower on Wednesday 14th June 2017, there was an operational policing requirement to provide logistical & specialist property support, including heavy lifting equipment. MPS had previously estimated costs would be under the £500k threshold; however it has since been established the lifting equipment is required for a further period of time.

The estimated full cost of the crane (which is currently in operation), including installation, daily operation and hire (for period 21/06/17 – 13/12/17) is £945k.

All costs are in direct support of the Metropolitan Police operational requirements, i.e. for the securing and removal of evidential material from the building.

To note that these costs are unbudgeted and are being managed in the MPS overall resources. The costs for the crane will be included in the Special Grant claim submitted to the Home Office.

The DMPC;

o Approves the variation to MOPAC’s existing order and approve expenditure and contract action in excess of £500k to ‘Wates Living Space Maintenance Ltd’ for the on-going operational requirement for lifting equipment. The estimated costs are £945k for crane hire until 13th December 2017 in order to support the evidential recovery of window units.

o Notes that these costs are unbudgeted and are being managed in the MPS overall resources. The costs for the crane are included in the Special Grant claim submitted to the Home Office.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. On Wednesday 14th June 2017, the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower called upon a multi-agency emergency services response including the London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service. Upon completion of the Fire Brigade actions, the Police Recovery, Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and Investigation phases could begin, led by the Specialist Crime & Operations Command.

1.2. MPS instructed Wates Ltd to manage the provision of a suitable crane solution via the MPS Intermediate Works Framework to meet the immediate policing requirement. This provided a compliant route to market and also met the requirements for urgency, continuity and assurance as Wates Ltd have extensive experience of dealing with dangerous structures.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1 The cost for installation (including preparatory works) and operation for the period 21/06/17 to 11/10/17 is £464,797 and falls within the MPS Scheme of Delegation. On 12th October a joint decision between the MPS, Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and Building Research Establishment (BRE) agreed that the mobile crane will be required for the safe removal of window units which will be tested by the Building Research Establishment.

3. Financial Comments

3.1 It is estimated the total costs to be incurred from June 2017- December 2017 are £945k. This is unbudgeted revenue costs which are currently being managed within MPS overall resources. The costs will be part of the Special Grant Claim submitted to Home Office.

3.2 To note if the removal of the units proves problematic, or if works are interrupted by inclement weather or other disruptions, this will then have the adverse effect of increased costs.

4. Legal Comments

4.1 Paragraph 7.24 of the MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent (“the Scheme”) provides the Director of Strategic Procurement has consent to approve:

o all variations and extensions to contracts with the exception of those called in through the agreed call in procedure or

o Unforeseen variations and extensions with an original value of £500,000 or above that, the DMPC is required to approve in line with the Scheme.

4.2 DLS are also instructed that due to technical and economic reasons it is not possible to change contractor to undertake these additional works without MOPAC incurring significant inconvenience and substantial duplication of costs.

5. Equality Comments

5.1 Wates Ltd have been instructed via the competitively tendered MPS Intermediate Works Framework. As part of that process all bidders were evaluated for acceptable equality and diversity statements.

6. Background/supporting papers

Report attached