Associations sign £32m repairs deal

The I-flair group, which is made up of eight housing associations, signed an agreement last week to procure most of their planned maintenance work for tenants.

It is the first deal of its kind in Scotland and represents £32 million of works, supplies and services over four years. The consortium has 10,000 homes throughout Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

Contractor Wates has signed a deal to carry out the majority of the repairs work.

Nanette Reid, chair of I-flair and Linstone Housing Association, said: ‘Our aim is to provide improved services for our tenants, which are value for money and locally controlled.

‘We have assessed contractors on the basis of their ability to provide us with quality, and with competitive contract rates.’

The housing associations - Arklet, Barrhead, Cloch, Oaktree, Bridgewater, Linstone, Paisley South, and Williamsburgh - hope to save several million pounds by using the joint procurement model.

Scottish housing minister Keith Brown said: ‘Scotland’s housing associations have a strong record of working together in the interests of their communities.

‘The Scottish Government expects all organisations that receive millions from the public purse to demonstrate a practical and focused approach to collaboration. In a period of financial restraint, it is vital that we identify ways to improve the efficiency of affordable housing provision.’

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