Key Points
- The cost of repairing the roof of Havering Town Hall has increased due to programme delays.
- Construction firm Stace requires an additional £25,000 for extended project management, quantity surveying, and employer’s agent services.
- Conservation architect Purcell Architecture needs up to £32,461 more for their ongoing role, bringing the total extra cost to the council to £57,461.
- These funds are already accounted for in the cash-strapped Havering Council’s budgets.
- The project involves replacing the existing flat roof and lanterns, repairing parapet walls, installing photovoltaic panels, and replacing deteriorated HVAC units beyond repair.
- Works were initially set to start in June 2025 and finish by December 2025, per council documents from September 2024.
- Council officers stated: “The town hall roof replacement project has been subject to programme delays, resulting in a longer delivery period than originally envisaged.”
- Additional professional services are needed “to support the council in managing this extended programme and to respond to the evolving scope of the project.”
- The new special educational school development in Balgores Lane has also faced delays, contributing to an overall extra cost of £86,000 across both projects.
- Havering Town Hall is a Grade II Listed Building requiring urgent repairs to address leaks and improve energy efficiency.
Havering (East London Times) April 20, 2026 – It will be the job of construction firm Stace LLP and conservation architect Purcell Architecture Limited to replace the existing flat roof and lanterns, repair the parapet walls, and install photovoltaic panels on the new roof.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units that have deteriorated “beyond repair” will also need replacing.
Thanks to “programme delays,” Stace will now require an extra £25,000 and Purcell up to £32,461 as the works drag on, setting the council back a further £57,461, as detailed in a council report approved on April 10, 2026.
Why Have Costs Increased for Havering Town Hall Roof Repairs?
As reported by Sebastian Mann of the Yellow Advertiser, this money has already been accounted for in the cash-strapped council’s budgets.
“The town hall roof replacement project has been subject to programme delays, resulting in a longer delivery period than originally envisaged,”
council officers wrote in the report, according to East London Times coverage on April 18, 2026.
“As a result, both the project management/quantity surveying/employer’s agent role (Stace) and the conservation architect role (Purcell) must continue their services for an extended duration,”
the report added.
The replacement was initially meant to begin in June 2025 and be finished by December 2025, according to council documents from September 2024 presented to Cabinet by Councillor Paul McGeary, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property.
No specific causes for the delays, such as weather or supply chain issues, are detailed in the reports from Yellow Advertiser, East London Times, or council notices.
What Works Are Involved in the Town Hall Roof Project?
The project at the Grade II Listed Havering Town Hall encompasses a full roof replacement, including repair or replacement of roof lanterns and parapet walls, plus the provision of photovoltaic panels on newly replaced flat roof areas.
It also covers replacement of HVAC units to enhance the building’s efficiency and halt ongoing leaks, which contribute to higher energy costs.
A September 2024 Cabinet report outlined these measures to reduce thermal inefficiency, estimated at around £17,000 per year.
Cabinet approved the tendering process on September 25, 2024, delegating authority to the Director of Place (now Interim Director of Housing and Property) to award the contract.
The estimated value for professional services via Constellia Ltd for the roof replacement was set at £158,379 initially, with Purcell at £89,989 and Stace in their roles.
How Does the Balgores Lane School Delay Connect?
The development of a new special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) school in Balgores Lane has also been delayed, with setbacks across both projects costing the council an extra £86,000 in professional services.
“Additional professional services are required to support the council in managing this extended programme and to respond to the evolving scope of the project,”
the April 10, 2026 report stated.
Havering Council awarded preferred bidder status to Galliford Try Ltd for the Balgores Special School in October 2024, with a pre-contract service agreement valued at £2,328,096 for design development.
The school will provide 300 places for pupils aged 4-19 with complex needs on Balgores Field, Gidea Park, Romford, including a sports hall, therapy pool, and multipurpose games area, subject to planning consent.
Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“We are happy to be working with Galliford Try and Haverstock for the new SEND school at Balgores Lane. This project represents a significant investment in the future of our community, providing 300 much-needed places for students with special educational needs and disabilities.”
Construction is hoped to commence in Autumn/Winter 2025/2026, with an 18-month build aiming for a September 2027 opening.
Background of the Developments
The Havering Town Hall roof project stems from long-standing maintenance needs for the Grade II Listed Building, with Cabinet approving tendering in September 2024 to address leaks and inefficiency.
Professional appointments for Stace and Purcell were made via Constellia Ltd, as confirmed in the non-key executive decision on April 10, 2026.
The Balgores Lane SEND school proposal addresses surging demand for local places, with consultations launched earlier and Galliford Try selected post-procurement in late 2024.
Both projects reflect Havering Council’s efforts to manage infrastructure amid budget constraints, using Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funds where applicable, as noted in 2022/23 statements.
Prediction for Havering Residents and Taxpayers
This development can affect Havering residents and taxpayers through extended professional fees already budgeted, avoiding immediate council tax hikes but tying up funds in a cash-strapped authority.
Delays may prolong exposure to leaks at Town Hall, potentially raising operational costs, while Balgores school setbacks could mean continued reliance on out-of-borough SEND placements, increasing travel burdens for families.
Completion remains targeted for late 2025 on the roof and 2027 for the school, supporting energy savings and 300 local SEND places if timelines recover.
