Press Release

Residents have their say in new contracts for repairs to council properties

2 July 2010

Residents in Islington have been involved in selecting new contractors to carry out repairs, maintenance and gas servicing in the borough.

Homes for Islington (HFI), the council’s Arms Length Management Organisation for housing, set up a special panel to ensure that residents’ needs and views influenced the contract itself as well as the selection of contractors. Resident priorities are now built into contract terms.

Priorities include: an increase in evening and weekend appointment slots, improved text reminders of appointments, simplified repair response times and a contractual requirement to provide apprenticeships.

Kier Support Services have won the contract for repairs, adaptations and work on empty properties as well as domestic gas servicing for North Islington.
EPS (Environmental Property Services) who are part of MITIE Group Plc – have been awarded the contract for domestic gas servicing for the south of the borough.

Eamon McGoldrick, Chief Executive said “The new contracts have been designed to deliver greater value for money. Customer care was a key part of the selection criteria and for that reason a dedicated resident panel assisted us throughout the selection process.”

Further contracts for mechanical and engineering works, for cyclical works and for capital works are due to be awarded by HFI in mid July after leaseholder consultation is complete and the selected contractors are approved at Islington Council’s Executive board.

The four year resident-focused contracts are extendable for up to ten years if they perform well and are due to start 30 October 2010.

For further information visit the HFI website: www.homesforislington.org.uk.

ENDS

For media enquiries, contact Janetta Murrie, Interim Manager for Marketing & Communications on 020 7527 4379 or email janetta.murrie@homesforislington.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. Homes for Islington (HFI) is one of the UK’s largest arms length management organisations (ALMOs) and began operations in April 2004. HFI manages council housing stock throughout the borough. It is owned by Islington Council and managed by a Board of Directors, made up of Islington tenants and leaseholders, council representatives and independent members.
2. HFI was awarded the highest rating (3 stars with excellent prospects) from the Audit Commission in 2008, putting it in the top 4% of ALMOs in the country.