Southwark Council signs landmark deal with leading electrical body

Southwark Council and leading electrical contracting body NICEIC have announced a formal partnership to help ensure that all electrical work in the council’s properties is carried out to the highest standards of health and safety by approved certified contractors.

Southwark is the first local authority to formally partner with the national, third party organisation.

Although officially launched this week, the partnership has been developed over the past year. Southwark Council has now signed a commitment with NICEIC to continually improve the safety and quality of all aspects of electrical installation.

Southwark Council owns and manages over 55,000 properties - including its housing stock - making it one of London’s biggest public property owners. The council spends nearly £20 million per annum on electrical works across this portfolio.

The partnership has already saved the council over £500 per empty property it renovates and rewires, adding up to £700,000 in savings on its repairs and maintenance over the past year. This is 16 percent cheaper than two years ago, but with work of a higher and more closely regulated standard.

Chris Baxter, head of engineering services at Southwark Council, said: "By partnering with NICEIC, our aim is to ensure that all tenants and leaseholders will receive the safest electrical installation."

Councillor Kim Humphreys, executive member for housing, said: "We’re delighted to launch this partnership with NICEIC. Health and safety is very important to Southwark Council and keeping our electrical standards up to scratch and meeting the highest specifications is crucial.

"The partnership will make energy savings, help us to work more efficiently and has saved £700,000 already."

Emma McCarthy, Chief operating officer for NICEIC, said: "This partnership will enable Southwark Council to further improve its services to tenants across the Borough.

"We’re committed to help ensure local authorities meet the highest standards in terms of electrical installation work in managed properties. This is the first recognised partnership in the UK of its type for NICEIC."