Connaught wins contract to improve Richmondshire Distrcit Council properties

Published by Gary Bolton for Connaught Plc in Housing and also in Communities

A contract for a rolling programme to improve properties across Richmondshire has been agreed by the District Council and Connaught Partnerships Ltd.

The estimated £1 million a year partnership will deliver the authority’s five year improvement programme. There is also an option for the new partnership to include maintenance work in the future.

Connaught is the sole contractor for the works that will see the council complete its Decent Homes programme up to 2010 and commence a new programme of Planned Replacements until 2014.

“Together with the Tenants Panel I have been closely involved in the selection of Connaught and we are delighted to have them on board,” said Councillor Peter Wood, Housing Spokesperson for Richmondshire District Council.

“By partnering with a large contractor like Connaught we can achieve a consistently high level of service for our tenants and better value for money - something that has been lacking in recent years. The company has experience of working in rural areas which is a big plus.”

And Brendon Hutchinson, Operations Director for Connaught Partnerships, added: “Connaught is delighted to be working in partnership with Richmondshire District Council.

“Through existing partnerships, such as those with North Yorkshire County Council and Harrogate Borough Council, we have already demonstrated our understanding of the requirements of working in rural areas spread across a large area which will prove invaluable when working with Richmondshire. This, together with our commitment to utilising our directly employed locally based teams, will see tenants receiving the best possible customer service.”

The contract with Richmondshire District Council follows the recent four year, £7million per annum partnership announced between Connaught and Yorkshire Housing Ltd to provide investment, maintenance and repair works to over 12,000 properties across North and West Yorkshire.