The company’s maintenance services have “not been good enough” says council leader
Basildon council has said it will not renew its housing repairs and maintenance contract with Morgan Sindall as the firm’s services were “not good enough”.
The council’s leader, Gavin Callaghan, warned in February that he would make changes to the repair and maintenance of council homes if improvements were not made.
In a statement published on social media earlier this week, he wrote: “I have listened to tenants. I have visited homes. I have heard the frustration loud and clear: the repairs and maintenance service has not been good enough.
“That is why I can confirm that when the contract with Morgan Sindall expires next June, Basildon council will not be renewing it. We will be looking to bring the service back in-house and work will start on this immediately.”
In April 2016, Morgan Sindall Property Services (MSPS) signed a £300m deal to repair the council’s housing stock and corporate buildings for up to 15 years. Under the deal, the council has the option to renew the contract after 10 years to bring it up to the full 15-year period.
Callaghan added: “When I took back control of this council last May, it was clear that we had inherited a housing service that simply was not fit for purpose.”
A spokesperson for MSPS said: “We are proud to have delivered the repairs and maintenance contract for Basildon borough council since 2016.
”Our priority now is to maintain our service to residents, alongside keeping employees, contractors and other stakeholders informed until the new arrangements are in place.”
The council is now looking to replace Morgan Sindall with local traders.
It has also announced that it will be building 300 new council homes and acquiring 500 more for families in temporary accommodation.
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