BCP Council apply for grant to cover Sterte Court cladding work excess

BCP Council is seeking an extra grant to cover excess costs associated with the troubled cladding replacement project at the residential Sterte Court towers.

Further issues with the project came after the fabricator of the buildings’ replacement cladding, H&H Architectural Systems, voluntarily entered insolvency in mid-October before the final five floors of the towers could be re-cladded.

A statement in the council’s latest finance report, set to be discussed at cabinet next week, reads: “Total costs to complete the project are now forecast to be £4.3m, which is £0.5m above the approved budget of £3.8m.

Sterte Court in Poole

“Nearly all this project is funded from a DLUHC Building Safety Fund grant. A £3.6m grant has been awarded and the council will be applying for a further grant award to cover the work variations required to complete the project.”

The council-owned residential towers have been at the centre of mishaps and delays since January last year when work started on the removal of non-compliant cladding in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster in 2017.

Extensive work to replace the cladding had previously been completed in 2015, but had to be removed when it was revealed to be substandard.

While residents were told last year the remediation work would take 40 weeks, it has lasted well over double that following material shortages and the subsequent fabricator administration.

One elderly resident told the Echo: “They’ve not worked on site for nearly four months now.

Sterte Court in Poole after the original cladding work, later found to be substandard

“They’re still waiting for the cladding to be delivered apparently. It’s awful to live in this, another Christmas surrounded by scaffolding. We’ve missed two summers and can’t use our balconies. I’m on the first floor which will be the last to be done.

“It’s just the worst, so disheartening, it really is. We’d have lived like this for two years in February. It’s a complete and utter mess.”

A completion date for the works is still unknown.

Cllr Karen Rampton, portfolio holder for people and homes, previously said: “We are wholly focused on ensuring all improvements are completed as soon as possible and remain grateful to those living in Sterte Court for their patience whilst the project overcomes these challenges.”

BCP Council have been approached for further comment.