Housing Association Appoints Contractors to £38m Deals

AN OLDHAM housing association has appointed two contractors to two four-year major investment contracts, worth a combined £38 million.

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) awarded Wigan family-run builders Connolly Ltd the external investment work, including new roofing, windows and doors.

The internal works deal, including new kitchens, bathrooms and rewires, was awarded to Wates Property Services.

Simon Harrison, Managing Director of Connolly Ltd said: “We are delighted to be appointed to the First Choice Homes Oldham framework. The success is a fantastic achievement for our family business and outlines the passion, commitment and drive of our people, who are committed to delivering an outstanding service for our customers.

“We look forward to working closely with the First Choice Homes Oldham team, building on our existing relationships and delivering great results for their residents.”

Contract Appointments

The appointments follow a tendering process in which both contractors delivered bids with a focus on providing high-quality customer service and creating social value through their work.

Social value will be generated by working with Oldham College to create training opportunities such as apprenticeships, work placements and T-level placements for local people over the life of the contract, and adding further value through wider community engagement.

The contracts started in September and are for an initial four years, with the option to extend for a further year.

Steve Mather, FCHO Director of Assets and Sustainability said: “Providing great homes and high-quality services are priorities for us and these long-term contracts will ensure customers’ homes are high quality, safe and sustainable long into the future, and will help us add greater value to the communities in which we work.

“We are committed to ensuring every pound we spend delivers best value for our customers and communities and it is important for us to know our investment partners are not only improving our homes, but also doing more to benefit our communities.”

The Connolly team has already started a programme of new roofing in Sholver and external repointing in Hathershaw and Bardsley. Wates operatives are carrying out pre-entry surveys for rewires and new bathrooms at homes across Oldham.

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