Repairs and maintenance specialist Morgan Sindall Property Services has been chosen by Waltham Forest Council to deliver its borough-wide housing repairs and maintenance programme for 14,000 homes.
The eight-year contract which starts today (1 April), has the potential to be extended for a further seven years. The deal is worth an estimated £195 million over the full 15 years.
It will see Morgan Sindall Property Services provide a complete range of repairs and maintenance services including day-to-day repairs; emergency repairs; refurbishment of void properties and out-of-hours services.
The company’s specialist team will also carry out planned improvement works and special projects including the Council’s kitchen and bathroom replacement and window renewal programmes as well as decorating work and improvements to communal areas on estates.
Councillor Louise Mitchell, Cabinet Member for Housing, says: “The decision to choose Morgan Sindall Property Services was taken after a comprehensive selection process, including input from residents. The final decision to award the contract was made not just on price, but also on the quality of the service and the support they will provide.
“We plan to build a strong tripartite agreement between the Council, Morgan Sindall and our other main contractor, Astons, to ensure a single, cohesive approach to serving our tenants and leaseholders.”
Residents will benefit from an improved service from Morgan Sindall’s advanced works and asset management IT system. The system has smart scheduling capabilities ensuring an appointment convenient for the tenant is matched with the tradesperson that will be closest to their address and with the right skills. This results in the work being carried out quicker and means more repairs are successfully completed on the first visit. It also cuts the number of repairs visits when no access can be gained.
In the future, tenants will also be able to use their mobile phones to book repair appointments as well as track the progress of their enquiry online. This will be phased in with support and training workshops to guide tenants through the process.
The extensive information accessible through the new IT platform will also make it easier for the Council to monitor and plan the upkeep of properties.
The new partnership will deliver significant job and training opportunities for local people. Central to this will be the creation of WalthamFUTURES, a social value initiative opening up training, work experience placements, pre-apprenticeships and employment opportunities for local residents of all ages and backgrounds.
Residents will also be supported with CV workshops and interview training sessions, work experience and DIY skills training. In addition, Morgan Sindall Property Services will deliver a programme of opportunities for local schools and support for community events.
Alan Hayward, Morgan Sindall Property Services managing director, says: “We are thrilled to have been chosen by Waltham Forest Council and its residents to deliver the borough’s major housing repairs and maintenance programme.
“Our investment in state-of-the-art IT systems combined with the company’s commitment to delivering an outstanding customer experience will enable us to provide the highest levels of service. This new partnership will also bring substantial investment in the local community with an extensive programme of employment and training opportunities for residents planned as well as wide-ranging support for schools and other community groups.”
