Issue - meetings

To seek approval to enter into a contract with Aaron Services for the provision of asset services and the repair, maintenance and installation of domestic heating and mechanical services, including low carbon installations to South Kesteven District Council’s housing stock.

Purpose of report

To seek approval to enter into a contract with Aaron Services for the provision of asset services and the repair, maintenance and installation of domestic heating and mechanical services, including low carbon installations to South Kesteven District Council’s housing stock.

Decision

That Cabinet approves the award to Aaron Services Ltd for the contract for a 3 year period (with the option to extend by a further 1 + 1 years) of an annual value of up to £3m for the provision of asset services and the repair, maintenance and installation of domestic heating and mechanical services, including low carbon installations to the Council’s housing stock.

Alternative options considered and rejected

The ongoing maintenance of a number of existing systems, as opposed to replacing them had been considered, but this could be difficult due to the availability of parts.

Additionally, consideration was being given to obtaining grant funding to check the integrity of cavities and lofts, as insulation in these key areas of property construction was unknown.  A further report on this would follow in due course under Fabric First.

Reasons for decision

The proposed contract award had followed compliant procurement processes  and would provide the Council with the appropriate contracts to aid the delivery of the Corporate Priority to provide “Housing that meets the needs of all residents”.

The contract award was one of the largest that the Council granted, as it was for up to £15 million over 3 years with an option to extend by another two years.

Collaboration was underway with Aaron Services Limited; they were willing to relocate some of their staff into Council premises, which added value to the contract.

One other advantage was that Aaron Services Limited had for many years serviced a similar contract at North Kesteven District Council, who seemed to have received an efficient.

Considerable work had been carried out to ensure that under the new contract there would be marked improvements to the Council’s housing tenants.