A MULTI-MILLION pound contract to reclad two blocks of flats in Poole is set to be awarded next month.

Next week, BCP Council’s cabinet will be asked to award the £3.4 million deal to replace the cladding at Sterte Court.

The two blocks were reclad in 2013 and 2014 but “failings” in the work has meant it needs replacing.

It had originally been estimated the project would cost between £1.5 million and £2 million.

But concerns about the fire safety standards of the proposed insulation have led to “urgent” measures to further improve the material.

Since the discovery earlier this year extra measures, including on-site staff and a new sprinkler system, have been put in place in case of a fire.

“The ongoing safety of all residents living at Sterte Court is paramount and together with Poole Housing Partnership, we are working closely with residents to ensure fire safety measures are in place to continue to keep people safe,” cabinet member for housing, councillor Bob Lawton, said.

“It’s important that we now progress the work to replace the cladding to address the workmanship issues and ensure the new materials meet the current building regulations.

“Our proposal means this work would start as quickly as possible with the new cladding fitted soon afterwards, mitigating the need for the current additional fire safety measures in place at Sterte Court.”

A report published ahead of the meeting of the cabinet on November 11 says a complete redevelopment of the two blocks had also been considered but was ruled out due to concerns about the cost and that it would be unlikely to lead to more flats being built on the site.

Should the contract be awarded to United Living, as the cabinet report recommends, work could start as soon as January.

Funding to cover the cost of the work would be sought from the government.