Merton Priory Homes awards contracts worth up to £200 million

The contracts were awarded following a competitive tender, in which residents played a fully active role. Contracts were signed on Friday afternoon with Apollo Group, Wates Living Space and VINCI Facilities.

Apollo Group will be covering the work in the Mitcham/Pollards Hill area, which covers 2, 137 homes. Wates Living Space will be covering the Phipps Bridge/St Helier/Reyensbury area of around 2,257 homes and VINCI Facilities will cover the 1, 928 homes in Wimbledon, Lower Morden and Raynes Park

Divided into three geographical lots, to ensure that the spread of work is even across the borough, the work to be carried out includes; kitchen and bathroom replacements, roofing works and window, door, fence and gate replacements.

In addition, Merton Priory Homes’ new partners will also carry out TV aerial replacements, renew communal heating systems and plumbing and electrical as well as security and energy efficiency works.

Merton Priory Homes is involving residents every step of the way they have been involved in the appointments and will choose the components, finishes and quality standards to be achieved. The new contractors will now take the information from the consultations, to establish a programme of works due to start this October. This will then be communicated to residents so that they know what work to expect and when.

Many residents have already volunteered to be works inspectors and mystery shoppers – to ensure that the works meet the high Merton Standard that has been promised.

Pauline Ford, Managing Director of Merton Priory Homes, said: “We were really impressed by the contractors’ track record and ability to offer high quality services that offer our residents value for money. More importantly each of the contractors demonstrated that they understand our commitment to put residents first and at the forefront of our decision making process. We look forward to starting the works in the Autumn.”

Apollo Regional Director, Simon Lacey, commented: “We could not be more pleased that we will be working with Merton Priory Homes, as our standards and principles match theirs so well. Apollo’s emphasis on high quality work; our expertise in working closely with residents – not least through our skilled team of Resident Liaison Officers – and our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in every community where we work will ensure that this is a strong, enduring working partnership.”

Cliff Parsons, Business Director for Wates Living Space commented: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside Merton Priory Homes and the local community not just to deliver their home improvement programme but to bring community benefits, investing in local people and local businesses”

Barry Boxall, Director for VINCI Facilities, commented: “VINCI Facilities are delighted to have been selected to work in partnership with Merton Priory Homes in delivering these vital improvements to the residents of Wimbledon, Lower Morden and Raynes Park. We believe that a successful project is not only reliant upon high quality services and expertise, but the ability to work well together. We are confident that the team approach of VINCI Facilities, Wates Living Spaces and the Apollo Group will not only deliver a successful programme of works across the borough but will also offer local investment through training and employment opportunities that will really make a difference to the local economy and therefore the local community.”

For further information please contact Maike Riedel at the Circle Anglia press office on 0845 234 0824 or email pressoffice@circleanglia.org.

19/07/10 10:21