Following on from the previous newsletter, the information below is to provide an update on the programme about the fire safety works currently being delivered at Seaton Point.
To see a full copy of the February newsletter, please click here.
The fire safety works to replace the window and the cladding (External Wall Insulation - EWI) is dependent on gaining access to every property. This means that any delays in gaining access to a home will impact on all residents and delay the scaffold strike.
We would like to thank all the residents who've allowed us access to complete some window installations but due to access issues we have had to split the programme into two parts. We understand that these works are highly disruptive, and Hackney and Equans both have dedicated staff with whom you can discuss potential measures to assist you while the works take place.
Our priority is to ensure that this project is completed as quickly as possible, to leave residents with a building which is improved for fire safety and energy efficiency standards.
Our progress to date
We have been working at the building since May 2021 and unfortunately the project has been delayed. While a lot of this relates to discoveries made in the autumn of 2021, once works started a lot of residents refused access to install the temporary fire alarms.
We started to replace bedroom and kitchen windows in October 2022 and to date 67 properties have been started, with stage 1 completions to approximately 56 properties.
The 12 properties on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors cannot be fully completed until the cladding has been removed and the scaffolding has been struck down to these floors.
We started the winter gardens on the North West elevation in January 2023 and due to weather conditions these works are progressing slowly as the fire retardant paint will not dry unless the temperature is above 5 degrees.
Works are progressing slowly, but stage 1 is almost complete. Please remember that for the winter gardens installation we must start on the top floor, then work our way down the block.
56 window and kitchen windows are complete, works are underway at 11 and 17 have yet to be started. In addition to these stats the winter garden works have started in six properties on the North West corner.
We have also been replacing boiler flues to meet the current gas safety regulations and some boiler relocation works were needed to certain properties. We will return to each property at a later date to fit the fire retardant panel which has to be ordered after the measurements have been taken. This appointment will be approximately six weeks after the installation of the flue. Decoration to the chimney stack has been completed.
We're pleased to announce that we have recently welcomed new Resident Liaison Officer, Simona Cibulskyte to the site team.
Simona will be working alongside Jahdai as well as the Site Managers to oversee the works at Seaton Point.
Contact details for Simona can be found here.
Please join us in welcoming them to the team.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION PLEASE READ
It has been brought to our attention that there have been men/women knocking at residents' doors claiming to be working with Hackney Council asking if they can talk about compensation claims including damp and condensation. These men/women are NOT with/from Hackney Council.
We would like to remind you all to please ask to see photo IDs (Hackney or Equans) before letting anyone into your home. If you are unsure of anyone's identity and they are asking to enter your home, or they do not have a photo ID please close the door and do not let them in.
All entries to your property by Hackney and Equans staff are pre-booked in advance with you directly, so if they do not have an appointment do not let them in. If you do so it will be at your own risk.
To speak with someone from Equans please contact your appointed Resident Liaison Officer as detailed below:
Jahdai Conquest (07929 657 540 | jahdai.conquest@equans.com)
If you wish to speak with a member of the Hackney project team then please contact Claudia Collins on 0208 356 4940 or 07814 149 300.
We are pleased to provide you with a brief update on our progress at Seaton Point. If you have any queries or concerns about the works being undertaken please contact us using the contact details provided on the home page.
The following works are currently ongoing:
- Window installations are underway replacing the bedroom and kitchen windows
- Boiler flues are being replaced where required to ensure that they are compliant with the latest regulations on tall buildings
- Internal works are ongoing including replacement of walls to the bedroom with a non-combustible steel frame structure
- Decoration works to the newly built internal walls are ongoing with positive feedback from residents who's properties we have worked in
- Replacement works to the curtain wall on the north east corner are underway
- External insulation build has been installed where possible
Equans recently returned to the community allotment at the Clapton Park Estate to install additional planters for the local community.
On 5th December, Social Value Manager, Julian Sanz, returned to the Daubeney Way community allotment along with a team of Equans staff volunteers to help install a further two raised planters. The planters will be used for herb growing by members of the local community.
Julian first visited the allotment back in September where after successfully securing £10,000 of funding from the South East Consortium, he arranged for seven large raised planters to be installed as well as a beautiful table and several sturdy benches.
Five new cycle racks have been installed on Hackney estates where Equans are working to provide additional cycle storage for local residents.
Thanks to an amazing donation of £3000 in cycle racks from our supplier KM Eco Ltd, Equans has been able to install the new racks across the De Beavouir and Clapton Park Estates. The new racks will provide additional storage for 25 bicycles.
A big thank you to KM Eco Ltd for the great donation.
The site team welcomed colleagues from Bouygues UK to the Fermain Court scheme recently when they paid a special visit to the site.
Following the recent purchase of Equans by Bouygues this was the perfect chance for both organisations to exchange ideas and views on enhancing our services as one company. The team at Fermain Court were delighted to meet up with their new colleagues during the visit.
Staff from Bouygues including members of their executive team took time out to visit the scheme and to learn more about what Equans can offer our clients in terms of services and added value.
Divisional Director for Equans, Tony Elliott said: "There is definitely a sense of excitement for the future and we look forward to working with our new colleagues!"
Click here to see some highlights of the visit.
The Equans site team at Seaton Point have successfully retained an 'Excellent' rating after their second audit from the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) and were able to score an amazing 42/45 after scoring high marks in each of the three categories.
On 11th October, a CCS monitor visited the scheme and carried out their audit of the site, commenting things like "The site remains well organised, clean and tidy. A Resident Liaison Officer is within the management team for resident liaison duties and wider community engagement activities continue. Robust safety and emergency arrangements remain evidence with the workforce all engaged with regards to site safety."
The CCS is an independent organisation founded to raise standards in the construction industry to ensure all construction sites present an image of competent management, efficiency, awareness of environmental issues and above all neighbourliness. Monitors from the scheme regularly audit our sites to ensure we are adhering to the scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice which is designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirement.
Each audit is split into three categories; respect for the community, protecting the environment and valuing the workforce each with a potential score out of 15 with a total combined max score of 45 available. To score above 13 in any category warrants an excellent level of achievement for that category.
Congratulations to the site team, who work so hard every day to maintain such high standards
Click here for a short video to celebrate our score.
From all of us at Equans, we wish you a happy Halloween.
A children's activity pack can be collected from your Resident Liaison Officer. Alternatively this can be viewed and downloaded from our 'Documents Library'.
Please be careful if carving pumpkins and stay safe whilst trick or treating.
We're pleased to announce that we have recently welcomed two new Resident Liaison Officers, Alex Saunders and Saron Wolderudael to the Fermain Court site team.
The two new RLO's are replacing Femi Odutaya who has now left the scheme. Alex and Saron will be working closely with Site Manager, Paulius to oversee the works at Fermain Court.
Contact details for Alex and Saron can be found here.
Please join us in welcoming them to the team.
New RLO, Alex Saunders
New RLO, Saron Wolderudael
Site team retains 'Excellent' rating from Considerate Constructors Scheme
