Contract extension enriches livin for tenants
One of County Durham's largest registered housing providers agrees a two-year repairs and maintenance contract extension after securing over £150,000 in added benefits for its tenants.
livin (formally sbh) awarded the extension to maintenance and repairs company Mears in a contract worth over £31 million.
In addition to maintaining and repairing the 8,500 housing stock, the two companies will work in partnership to deliver a number of initiatives to tackle issues including unemployment, health and financial inclusion.
Chief executive of livin, Colin Steel, said: "When we originally let the contract to Mears in 2008 it was about maintaining and improving homes.
"Now it is about much more than this. As an organisation we are committed to improving the lives of people that live in our communities and it is important that our partners work to the same ethos.
"Mears reputation nationally is excellent for delivering this type of work and we are looking forward to launching a number of new schemes to benefit people locally."
The new initiatives will see the introduction of a number of employability programmes including work experience schemes, enterprises coaches and a young person's skills programme, as well as a commitment from both companies to continue to employ apprentices annually.
Colin Middlemass, regional managing director for Mears, said: "Mears are delighted to have been awarded the contract extension and look forward to delivering further tangible benefits to the communities in which we operate.
"Mears place substantial faith in partnerships and through this lasting and mutually beneficial arrangement and we are confident that we can offer services that will strengthen our partnership further."
Mr Steel, added: "The level of service we have received from Mears since we began working together has been outstanding and we are looking forward to continuing to work together as part of this new venture."