Agenda item

The Committee received a presentation from Tom Damarell (Lindum Construction Manager) and Tom Sensecall (Lindum Quantity Surveyor) on the progress of works at the new depot. 

The Construction Manager gave an overview of the works and highlighted difficulties with the site showing the Committee aerial shots of the site before Lindum had started work (October 2024) and as work was progressed on site.   Difficulties with the site included a tree plant protection zone on the east of the site which contained bee orchids, the stockpiles of materials left over from the demolition of the previous facility on site, the existing site entrance and the connectivity with the roads and the existing tarmac car park. 

Work on site began in November 2024 when the site was secured, the electrical supply disconnected and the materials on site relocated during the cut and fill exercise.  Security systems were installed together with a solar powered carbon zero temporary site welfare.

A further aerial shot was shown.  This was taken at the end of November 2024 in which it could be seen that the levels on site had been brought up, compacted and the stockpiles had been rationalised and used within the site in accordance with the material management plan.

The December 2024 aerial shot showed the site boundary treatments had been carried out and a new substation base had been installed. Materials had been recycled and used on site and the formation of the access road could be seen.

In the January 2025 aerial shot it could be seen that excavations had taken place for the drainage runs and the attenuation tanks. Further aerial shots showed the size of the attenuation tanks and the works involved with the tanks measuring 42 metres long and 7 meters deep.

Further shots taken in February 2025 showed the pouring of the foundations for the site and the deep drainage areas to the north and south of the site.  The next period of construction involved the steel frame to be erected and the installation of interceptors.  It had been decided to use two large interceptors rather than five smaller interceptors.  The final slide showed a 3D model of what the office buildings would look like and the wider site.

Members welcomed the presentation, and a question was asked about being on budget and works on target to which it was confirmed the site completion and budget were currently on target.

A question was asked about the operation of the attenuation tanks and drainage on site to which the Lindum Construction Manager replied.

A comment was made about whether anything had been lost due to value engineering.  It was confirmed there was nothing in terms of specification loss, the concrete yard had been rationalised and the amount of concrete had been reduced in the slab by increasing the amount of stone which had reduced the carbon used and there was also a financial saving.

A question was asked about whether anything had held up the works or whether anything had costed more than had been budgeted for to which the Construction Manager replied that any unknowns were now known and there were no “surprises”.

A further question was asked in relation to the solar panels and their efficiency and what percentage of the power requirement for the site they would supply and was there a battery backup to which the Construction Manager replied that he did not have the figures available at the present time.    It was confirmed that there was a battery backup.

The Cabinet Member for Property and Public Engagement had nothing to add to the presentation which had been informative other than to reiterate the completion of the project was on target and also on budget and a further update would be given at the next meeting of the Committee.

The Chairman thanked the Officers from Lindum for attending and the Committee noted the update.