Councillors have awarded a new contract for Property and Facilities Maintenance, being the first local authority of its kind to award in this way.
At a recent meeting of the council’ Policy and Resources committee, members approved an award of a contract for Hard Facilities Management Services, with a strong community focus.
The successful bidder was Forth Electrical Services, FES FM, who from next April will be the Council’s partner for the next 5 years, with an opportunity for a further 2 year extension.
This means that the provider will perform the response, compliance and life cycle maintenance for all council properties and elements of maintenance in social housing and sheltered housing under the terms of the contract.
This single provider approach has been developed as the preferred solution for the council as it is seen to be an opportunity to stimulate transformation in the delivery of this service, along with financial and service user benefits.
The contract was awarded with a strong community focus and it has been agreed that the winning bidder will have in place an engagement manager. This role will work in partnership with the council to develop training opportunities, apprenticeships and skills development. The contract will focus more widely on supplementary benefits such as supporting a digital skills initiative, developing a community projects fund and promoting the use of electric or hybrid vehicles.
There are also opportunities for local small and medium sized businesses to benefit through the new contract by being part of the supply chain under the single provider approach.
Meanwhile a programme of briefings and has been arranged for council employees as part of the wider plan.
FES are the largest FM contractor in Scotland with a major base in Westhill and are looking to expand into further locations across Aberdeenshire. The company won the Scottish Business Awards - Employer of the Year for 2015.
Council co-leader Richard Thomson said: “We are going through an unprecedented level of investment in our estate and it is important that all our built assets are maintained to a high standard. Aberdeenshire Council is the first Council in Scotland to adopt this approach and we are looking forward to working in collaboration with FES and maximising Community Benefit and opportunities for local SME’s.
Vice chair Cllr Stephen Smith said: “It is exciting to see Aberdeenshire progress with a contract of this nature, becoming the first local authority in Scotland to do so. It is the community focus which is the most exciting and puts Aberdeenshire Council at the forefront of a new partnership approach. We are leading by example and I am reassured by the rigour and detail that has gone into the direction and the subsequent award.”
Frazer Meiklejohn, managing director of FES FM said: “We are delighted at this contract award and the opportunity of working collaboratively with Aberdeenshire Council. We look confidently forward to building further on our strong local foundation and experience in this first for a local authority in Scotland”.