Circle announces preferred bidders for its repairs and maintenance services

Aimed at improving quality and consistency across the group, the new contracts will also allow for more rigorous measurement of performance.

 

 

The preferred bidders are:¹

Region	Responsive repairs	Planned repairs
Eastern: Wherry, South Anglia and Roddons	Morrison Facilities Ltd (This is a dormant lot as will be run by our DLO)	Kier Services Ltd
Central and West Midlands: Mercian, Circle 33 and Old Ford	Morrison Facilities Ltd	Kier Services Ltd
Southern: Mole Valley, Russet and Merton Priory Homes	Apollo Property Services Group Ltd (MVHA to be run by our DLO)	United House Ltd

Mark Rogers, Group Chief Executive at Circle, said: "As one of the UK’s largest housing groups, we are using our size not only to create a better service for our 200,000 residents, but also to deliver better value for money, saving up to £100 million in ten years. This will enable us to invest more back into our communities, so that our customers will benefit even more on a local level from being part of Circle.

"It has been really important to us to involve customers in this procurement from the start, and more than 400 customers have helped to shape the new service and select our contractors.

"We have been really impressed by the high standards of the final bids presented to us. All of our shortlisted contractors put in a phenomenal effort, really taking the time to understand our organisation and what our customers want from us. They also share our passion for putting more back into the communities we work in. We would like to thank all involved for their support in this, and congratulate the preferred bidders who received the highest scores against a very strong field."

Circle plans to enter into an initial term of five years with any final selected bidders, subject to contract, with an option to extend for a further five years.

Circle is now running a full customer consultation with leaseholders and service charge payers on the preferred bidders. Contracts will be awarded once this process has been completed and any feedback from customers or shortlisted bidders has been taken into account. Implementation across the group is expected to take place over a period of six to nine months.

Rob Leitch, Regional Managing Director, Kier Services said: "Kier are delighted to have been selected to work with Circle. We are totally committed to enhancing the life chances of Circle’s customers and we are very much looking forward to working together in partnership over the next 10 years."

Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive, Morrison said: "We are thrilled to have been announced as the preferred bidder for lots one and two of Circle’s new responsive repairs service. Morrison’s market leading combination of great customer service, value for money and footprint, means we will not only be able to deliver a better service to its customers in terms of performance and quality but also to the communities in which they live."

Jeffrey Adams, United House, Group CEO said: "United House are really pleased to continue our long term relationship with Circle Housing Group improving homes for their residents. We are committed to making this new project a success delivering further efficiencies, creating employment and improving the life chances of the communities in which we will be working. "

For media enquires please contact kimberley.rowley@circle.org.uk or contact the press office on 0845 234 0824 /pressoffice@circle.org.uk

Notes for editors

¹The Contract is split into six lots: These are created by region, and by planned and responsive repairs. Planned Maintenance is the regular and scheduled work Circle does to maintain its customers’ homes like replacing old bathrooms. Responsive Repairs, is the service where Circle responds to customers’ calls and fixes their immediate specific problems, like a broken door.

Lot 1 Responsive works in the Eastern Region (dormant – as being run in-house) (£155m – £220m)
Lot 2 Responsive works in the Central and West Midlands regions (£240m – £350m)
Lot 3 Responsive work in the Southern region (£153m – £220m)
Lot 4 Planned & Cyclical works in the Eastern region (£156m – £220m)
Lot 5 Planned & Cyclical works in the Central and West Midlands regions (£188m – £270m)
Lot 6 Planned & Cyclical works in the Southern region (£293m – £340m)

22/05/12 09:41