Mears wins Decent Homes deal worth up to £290m

Mears has clinched a deal worth up to £290m to upgrade 12,500 council homes over 10 years for Brighton and Hove City Council.

Mears beat four bidders to be named preferred contractor and proposals to appoint the firm will go before the council’s cabinet on 9 July. The contract is due to be signed off over the summer and will start in April 2010.

The contract will cover major planned upgrades such as new kitchens and bathrooms, window replacements, electrical rewiring and cyclical decorations. It will also include a responsive repair and maintenance service. Residents can expect improved customer service, such as longer opening hours for the repairs office, 24-hour reporting for all repairs with all problems dealt with at the first point of contact.

Mears will be expected to deliver work at a lower cost and with better performance management. The firm will be rewarded if it makes savings, but will suffer penalties if it fails to meet targets.

Under the partnering deal Mears will set up apprenticeships and a training academy. The aim is to attract a more diverse workforce, especially women. A local kitchen manufacturing workshop will be established and the scheme is expected to support the development of social enterprises by employing local businesses and labour.

The council is also insisting on an eco-friendly approach to the upgrade work. It will introduce measures to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, help residents lower their heating bills and tackle fuel poverty. Mears is committed to using locally sourced, environmentally friendly materials and to becoming carbon neutral by 2012.

Other commitments include Energy Performance Certificates for all properties being let.