Contractor secures £170m deal for council housing maintenance
Fortem has continued its partnership with Birmingham City Council (BCC) after being awarded a contract worth £170m for repair, maintenance and 24-hour call-out services to homes in the city.
The contractor has extended its relationship with the council for a total of 18 years after it was first appointed to deliver services in 2008.
It will see the Fortem continue delivering repairs, maintenance and gas servicing to BCC residents living in wards that include Northfield District, Longbridge, Selly Oak, Kings Norton, Edgbaston, Bartley Green, Harborne and Moseley.
Operating from Weoley Castle, Fortems services also include capital improvement and decarbonisation works. Operating as a ‘one-stop shop’ for the council’s property repairs needs for more than 20,000 properties, it also carries out planned installations such as new kitchens, bathrooms, heating systems or other fixtures and fittings, as well as preparing vacant properties for new tenants.
Since 2016, the company has employed over 200 people on its current contract, with 95% of the workforce recruited locally. In addition, 95% of supply chain spend has been with local businesses.
During its relationship with the council, Fortem says that social mobility and upskilling have been a core part of its strategy, with more than 100 local apprentices employed during that time and £1m donated to local causes through a combination of fundraising. 25,000 hours of volunteered time has contributed towards the development of community facilities.
Fortem Chief Operating Officer Chris Tredget said: “We are delighted that our relationship with BCC is continuing. We are passionate about providing an efficient, high-quality service to thousands of residents each year so they can live comfortably in their homes, and to minimise any inconvenience that a housing repair can bring.
“The longevity of our service is a huge source of pride for our company, as is our determination for driving social mobility across the city. We very much feel part of the social fabric of Birmingham, which is reflected in the desire of our people to support local good causes like Birmingham Children’s Trust, as well as charities to tackle homelessness and in providing thriving careers through our Pathways4Life programme.”
Paul Langford, Birmingham City Council’s Strategic Director for City Housing, said: “We are pleased to have signed a new contract with Fortem, one of our long-term partners. Their commitment to delivering high-quality and efficient services to our residents, along with their focus on social mobility and upskilling, has been invaluable over the years. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Fortem and providing our residents with the support they need to live comfortably in their homes.”
