Hackney Council's Hackney Procurement Board has deferred a decision on appointing specialist contractors for legal disrepair works until its next meeting on November 10, 2026. The decision was postponed during the board's meeting on October 13, 2026.
The procurement aimed to appoint two specialist contractors to handle legal disrepair works, with contracts split into two lots. Lot 1 was intended to cover 60% of the work, estimated at £6 million over four years, while Lot 2 would cover 40%, estimated at £4 million over the same period.
The council's in-house Direct Labour Organisation (DLO) currently lacks the capacity to manage the full scope of legal disrepair works required. Demand for these services has surged more than fivefold, driven by a combination of factors including a past cyber attack, the pandemic, and increased activity from claim farming and 'no win no fee' engagements. This rising demand is the primary reason for seeking external specialist contractors.
When the board reconvenes on November 10, 2026, tenders will be evaluated based on a weighted criteria of 60% price and 40% quality. The highest scoring bid for each lot will be awarded the contract, with the first-ranked tender securing Lot 1 and the second-ranked tender awarded Lot 2.
The procurement sought to address the rising demand for legal disrepair works, support the council's in-house service, and manage workload fluctuations.