Morrison awarded 10 year maintenance contract in East Kent

Shepway District Council has awarded a new long term multi million pound contract to leading repairs and maintenance provider Morrison.

The ten year contract, which has an option for five one year extensions, will commence on the 1 April 2010 and is worth around £3million per annum. Morrison secured the contract following a competitive tender process.

Morrison will provide a range of repairs and maintenance services, including day to day responsive repairs, out of hours emergency services, kitchen and bathroom replacement work, electrical maintenance and disabled adaptations. The contract will incorporate 3,444 properties across the Shepway District, which includes Folkestone, Hythe, New Romney and Lydd.

Cllr Keren Belcourt, Cabinet Member for Housing at Shepway District Council, said she hoped for a long and successful partnership between the council, its tenants and Morrison.

"Representatives from our Shepway Tenant and Leaseholder Board helped us evaluate the tenders and all our tenants and leaseholders have now been told about the new contract. I am sure there will be opportunities for them to meet Morrison representatives before the contract starts and I am confident that they can look forward to a very good service in the future."

Guy Wakeley, Chief Executive of Morrison, said: "Morrison continues to strengthen its position in the South East and London and this new partnership plays a significant role in this growth strategy.

"Over the coming months we will be working closely with Shepway District Council to develop a service which offers real benefits to both the community and the council in terms of improvements in customer service and costs."

Morrison has also been awarded contract extensions on its partnerships with The Gateshead Housing Company, Tamworth Borough Council and Homes in Havering.

Mr Wakeley continued: "Since March we have secured 15 new contracts and 5 extensions with both new and existing clients, resulting in orders worth in excess of £430 million. Our bid pipeline remains stronger than ever and I fully expect to be able to announce further wins in the coming months."