New housing contracts to drive improved services

Companies from around the country attended an event about how to bid for two large housing contracts on Friday

Hammersmith & Fulham Council is going to market with a view to procuring contracts for its housing repairs and maintenance and housing services and is searching for businesses that share its aims and values.

The council is on the lookout for new contractors and partners who will provide the best possible services for the 17,000 households who live in council housing, while achieving greater efficiency and value-for-money for taxpayers.

The ten year housing repairs and maintenance contract is worth approximately £250m and will cover reactive repairs, some planned preventative maintenance along with the potential for delivery of some other services which is being explored.

The housing services contract is worth approximately £50m and is also for a period of ten years and includes caretaking services, cleaning and reception services.

At the event, held at the White City Community Centre more than 100 attendees from across the industry met with council officials to discuss how they could provide a service that meets the council’s aspirations.

Cllr Andrew Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said:

“Providing excellent services, whilst achieving best value-for-money is at the heart of everything we do here at Hammersmith & Fulham Council. We are looking for contracting partners who will share our vision, drive and ambition to work with us and our residents to achieve our aims and ultimately deliver improvements to our housing service.

“These new contracts provide a real opportunity to help shape the future of council housing services and to provide an example for other local authorities and those within the industry to follow.”

The council expects to appoint the new contractors in early 2013.