Issue - meetings

Background:

This report sought permission to commence the procurement for the Statutory Housing Service of a Responsive Repairs and Maintenance contract. This contract was intended to include void property repairs and running maintenance of Temporary Accommodation (TA) owned and managed through the general fund and One Medway Lettings in Housing Needs, extending to include One Medway - Inspiring Change LA Hostels, work for the HRA as required, the property portfolio of Medway Development Company (MDC) and the Sanctuary Scheme (Domestic Abuse provision) for installation of enhanced security measures in the homes of domestic abuse survivors.

The contract was intended to improve the Council’s management and control of repairs and maintenance works required for the maintenance and safety of property that was the responsibility of the Council to manage.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken in relation to the procurement and was attached at Appendix 3 to the report.

Reasons:

The recommendation for procuring this service has been made as it is the most effective way to procure a suitably qualified provider to deliver repairs and maintenance. Currently, there is a reliance on maintenance and repair work to be completed by the contract holders for the HRA Responsive Repairs and Capital Works contract. This is outside of current contract scope and risks impacting performance of the contractual obligations and thus performance of the HRA, leading to significant risk of the current contractor withdrawing from additional services further burdening the Temporary Accommodation budget.  By enabling any successful contractor on this contract to perform required HRA work, will in turn reduce pressure on the HRA repairs and maintenance contract.

Background:

The report sought approval to directly appoint a specialist advisor/consultant to support the acquisition of 791 homes from London & Quadrant (L&Q) into the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The acquisition (c.£45m) had been approved by Full Council in April 2026. Given the scale, complexity and limited market of experienced advisors, a direct award via a compliant framework was proposed.

An Exempt Appendix contained the financial analysis in respect of the procurement project.

Reasons:

The Council is recommended to appoint Savills due to their unique specialist experience in large-scale registered provider to LA stock transfers, their existing knowledge from prior HRA financial modelling, the absence of viable alternative advisors due to conflicts of interest, and the need to ensure robust, low-risk delivery of a complex and strategically significant acquisition.