St Margaret Clitherow Church
Roof Repair Update
Scroll down to see all information published to date.
4 July 2010
Bishop Crispian Letter to parishioners can be viewed here
22 August 2010
A detailed survey has been carried out and it seems that the damage is more serious than first thought. A Project Manager has been appointed to oversee the work. The areas of copper that were stolen will be replaced by a specialised product from Germany that will almost match the patina of our existing copper roof. Some of the vertical panels will be replaced in copper. Over the next few weeks contractors will be engaged and the specialised roofing material ordered.
While the church has scaffolding on it, we will be taking the opportunity to repair some of the areas of the flat roof - the very high window on the apex of the roof, and the glass roof over the Altar area. The guttering needs attention too. As you can appreciate, to open the Church for September is not going to be possible. I don’t want this job rushed and its good also that we take the opportunity to get the other jobs on the roof attended to at the same time. The church will be signed off and handed back to the diocese/parish as soon as the work is complete. (I think, being realistic, we are looking at sometime in November). As news comes to hand, I will update the parish through the newsletter.
29 August 2010
Update from the Diocese:
23 Aug – The Diocese issues confirmation of instructions to proceed to issue tenders
24 Aug – Kempton Carr Croft issue tenders
13 Sep – Tender return date
17 Sep – Tender analysis & recommendations are submitted by Kempton Carr Croft to the Diocese
27 Sep – The Diocese issues confirmation of instructions to proceed to appoint contractor
28 Sep – Kempton Carr Croft confirm instructions to the contractor
29 Sep – Contractor places order with Alucobond for materials
18 Oct – Works commence on site
10 Dec – Works are completed and the site is handed back to the Diocese
The above timescales are perfectly achievable providing that the Diocese provide prompt confirmation of instructions by the deadlines as stated. The tender documentation has been prepared to state that the project will commence in Sep 2010, which is when we hope to be in a position to confirm instructions. By stating a later commencement date we may give the impression that the works will not be completed before Christmas and therefore contractors may inflate their quotations by including costs for additional prelims, scaffold provision, temporary weatherproofing etc to cover the two week shut down period. We are keen to avoid this. Furthermore, delays in the issue of instructions may postpone the project completion date until after the Christmas festive period. Please note that the construction industry shuts down for approx a fortnight during late Dec/early Jan, which includes roofing contractors and firms of Chartered Surveyors. If works are not completed before the end of December, the completion date may be postponed until late January, possibly even February 2011.
26 September 2010
Following on from the news of 29th August: A timetable was produced (see above) and by now all tenders for the job are to be in. Three contractors were approached and all 3 have failed to submit. The project manager and the diocese are seeking further contractors and looking for the best material for repair. This will obviously have a detrimental effect on the timetable. When I have more news I shall, of course, keep you all informed. Fr. Chris.
10 October 2010
ST MARGARET CLITHEROW ROOF – UPDATE – The Project Manager has met with Representatives of roofing materials, and also with our Diocesan surveyor, and the replacement product for the roof has been selected. The Diocese will now tender for contracts for the work to proceed. Updates will follow as and when we have more news. I can assure everyone in the parish that many people are doing their utmost to bring this building project to a satisfactory conclusion. Fr. Chris.
17 October 2010
ST MARGARET CLITHEROW CHURCH
Update: The Diocesan surveyor has now approved the new replacement copper product for the Church. The current idea is to remove all of the copper from the sections of the roof that have been affected and replace it with the new material. The insurance will pay for only the stolen part and all other extra costs will have to be paid by the parish. I do not as yet have any breakdown of costs. See the photograph below for a mock up. Fr. Chris.
larson® PE composite panel
19 November 2010
ST MARGARET CLITHEROW ROOF – As you all know the roofing contractors failed to submit a bid in the last round which was very disappointing. However, we were able to examine the replacement roofing material and found a far superior material from Larsons [see last update]. I am disappointed that St Margaret Clitherow will not be ready for Christmas and that the New Year seems a likely time.
I now have further news from the Project Manager. Here is the latest time schedule:
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Tender return date: 6th December 2010
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Tender report issued: 10th December 2010
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Contractor appointed: January 2011
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Lead-in for provision of materials: 6 weeks
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Works commencement date: March 2011
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Works completion date: circa May 2011
Considering the nature of the works and potential pitfalls, it would not be reasonable to start works in late 2010 and leave the site unattended during the festive break. Also, the lead-in period for production and delivery of the Larson material [if it is chosen], is 6 weeks, which automatically postpones the project start date until 2011.
To remind you also that this is being dealt with at Diocesan level and the Diocesan Surveyor has it in hand.
As soon as I have any further news [costs etc] I will keep you informed through this newsletter and our webpage.
I’m sorry that the news could not be more cheerful. Fr. Chris
16 January 2011
ST MARGARET CLITHEROW CHURCH UPDATE – It seems, although I have not been told officially, that the Diocese and the Diocesan appointed Project Manager are have some difficulty in finding a certified contractor to carry out the repairs to the roof, which are of a specialist nature.
However, I heard from the Diocesan Surveyor on Friday that “Despite all of this disappointment and frustration, I hope to be in a position very soon regarding the appointment of a contractor”. I presume therefore, that this latest development may affect the timetable. Unfortunately, as the roof cover is a temporary one, water will inevitably ingress. The Diocesan Surveyor has been informed and we have asked that the temporary cover be made more secure as soon as possible. There have been at least 3 or 4 attempts to protect the roof so far. Furthermore, over the Christmas period, more copper was stolen and the police are continuing to investigate. Additionally, during the cold weather, the boiler’s water pipes froze and burst and the Insurance Company and the Diocese have been informed. For your information, the Project Manager’s interim bill amounts to £3,525 which the parish has to pay. This does not include the work of the builders who put up the temporary roof covering, which we also have to pay. I would like to thank Annabel Webb who has volunteered to co-ordinate a group of volunteers, to help keep an eye on the church and to clean up and mop up as necessary. If you would like to join this group, please either speak directly to Annabel or contact the parish office. The Diocese continue to keep this in hand and I will, as always, also continue to keep you updated through the parish newsletter and website as and when I am given more information. Fr. Chris
20 March 2011
ST MARGARET CLITHEROW CHURCH UPDATE –
Following a site visit by the Diocesan Surveyor and our Professional advisor I can report the very latest position.During Round 1 tendering, not one of the selected contractors wanted to look at the project and definitely NONE quoted. Nine thefts have taken place. These are considered by us as Insurable [excess will apply to each separate claim].
The Diocesan Surveyor and our consultant have received 3 new proposals in 2
nd Round bidding.The cheapest is to simply replace the stolen copper [like for like], but our professionals are reluctant to allow this, as further thefts can be anticipated [we are not unique in this and the insurers are seeing and hearing of many more cases up and down the country]. Additionally, the new copper will not blend in with the 40 years aged copper, despite certain actions (patinated) that will attempt to age the new metal, so it will not look aesthetically pleasing. The cost of this option, that is unlikely to get support from our professionals, will be £100,000; with contingencies, professional fees and VAT (VAT etc).
The most expensive is nearly £340,000 with VAT etc., which provides an alternative to copper, but still maintains the effect.
A second alternative to copper, but cheaper, (there is a real doubt about this estimate in view of the very low cost of scaffolding compared to the most expensive quote) will come in at circa £200,000 incl VAT etc. but, if the scaffolding element is wrong, will be nearer £240,000.
Those that have experienced Insurance claims realise that the Insurance Company will utilise a Loss Adjuster to minimise their loss, and at some stage the two sides get together to negotiate a settlement.
The Finance Committee at the Diocese and subsequently the Body of Trustees, will need to review all of this new information and we pray for them in their deliberations.
The Diocese continues to keep this in hand and I will, as always, also continue to keep you updated through the parish newsletter and website as and when I am given more information. Fr. Chris
28/29 May 2011
Closure of St Margaret Clitherow Church - Click here for the statement from Bishop Crispian
September 2011
Click here to read the letter from Mgr John Nelson published to the parish in September 2011.
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