Wales

Contracts totalling £9milllion awarded to North Wales businesses

Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd Asset Manager Daniel Parry with Falconer’s Company Manager, Jason Jones
Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd Asset Manager Daniel Parry with Falconer’s Company Manager, Jason Jones

Five North Wales companies have won contracts totalling nearly £9 million with housing association Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd (CCG). 

They include G M Jones Ltd from Llanrwst; Falconer Electricals Ltd and Gelli Civil Engineering from Penrhyndeudraeth; Evans Wilson and Evans; and Aled Jones both from Caernarfon.

Since the transfer of homes from Gwynedd Council to CCG in April 2010, investment work has begun on improving tenants’ homes so that they meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard. Over the next 30 years CCG will be spending £446 million on repairs and improvements to its 6,300 homes with £136 million will be spent in the first five years.

The Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) as laid out in the Welsh Assembly Government ‘Better Homes for People in Wales’ forms part of the vision that all households have the opportunity to live in good quality homes that are: in a good state of repair; safe and secure; adequately heated, fuel efficient and well insulated; contain up-to-date kitchens and bathrooms; well managed (for rented housing); located in attractive and safe environments and as far as possible suit the specific requirements of the household.

To achieve this standard set by the Welsh Government, CCG has adopted a unique procurement model to appoint contractors. It means that local trade contractors can also benefit from the substantial investment.

Mick Butler, Director of Assets and Investment at CCG said: “Maximising local economic benefits and securing a lasting legacy is central to our vision, and to make sure this happens we have introduced this innovative procurement model.

 

The aim is that it will help to boost the local economy and increase employment and training opportunities. The traditional model used by housing associations to deliver similar investment programmes means using one or two major contractors to deliver the whole scheme. In Gwynedd this would not necessarily be beneficial to local enterprise, so, from the outset we decided not to take this particular route.

“Our strategy at CCG is to divide the WHQS investment work, with almost half the contracts available to local trade contractors and the remainder to one main service provider. We will also be in charge of our own supply chain with Travis Perkins and Symphony as our suppliers. Removing the need for costing materials and supplies from the process has enabled small and medium sized businesses to compete on a level playing field with larger contractors and means that we were able to award contracts to a number of local companies.”

With the five successful companies awarded four year contracts rather than 12 months, this offers more stability and means they can plan for the future, employ more staff, trainees and apprentices as well as being an opportunity for them to grow as businesses. To facilitate the procurement model CCG has employed officers directly to manage the supply chain and to provide support to the SMEs to manage their contract requirements.

Electrical Contractors, Falconer Electricals Ltd from Penrhyndeudraeth will be working on rewiring a number of CCG homes.

Jason Jones, Falconer’s Company Manager will be personally involved in the day to day running of the project. He said: ”Falconer Electricals is delighted to be part of such a unique and large scale project, in particular with the project being in our area. The programme will help secure work for a number of existing employees as well as create a number of new posts. Furthermore, as a long term serving contractor to Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd we are also very pleased to safeguard this position.”

Gelli Civil Engineering was established in 1990 as a partnership and due to steady growth became a limited company in 2005. The company employs with a fully trained experienced workforce carrying out civil engineering projects of up to £1million.

The company’s area of operation is in mid to north Wales and their objective is to provide and maintain high standard of workmanship using local resources when and where possible.

They have a strict health and safety policy and all safety procedures are thoroughly checked and updated on a regular basis, with over 95% of the workforce registered with the construction\skills certification scheme.

Evans Wilson & Evans is a family run business with over 30 years experience in the building industry. The company is proud of its reputation as one of North Wales’ most respected building companies, with clients ranging from large commercial and government authorities to small private properties.

Construction Company GM Jones Ltd based in Llanrwst will be working on internal and external improvements to Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd homes. Founded in 1997, G M Jones (Builders) Ltd. has successfully operated from its base in the Llanrwst Area, working in North and Mid Wales and Cheshire. With a reputation for excellence in both workmanship and service, the company provide a comprehensive construction service as a main contractor, to complete projects on time, within budget and to the satisfaction of clients.

The company has a progressive approach to construction, offering an individual service to clients. With a diverse skill base and a vast amount of experience, G M Jones (Builders) Ltd. is fully competent in undertaking a plethora of contracts within the public and private sector.

Jenny Jones, Commercial Manager for the company said: “As an established North Wales company we are delighted to have been successful in securing the contract. We look forward to working with CCG to successfully deliver the WHQS works, and the opportunities that this framework will provide both for both our business and the local community. The framework will allow us to secure employment for our existing workforce, whilst offering employment and training to a number of skilled workers in the area. We are thrilled to have been chosen and look forward to a new era at G M Jones Ltd.”

Cartrefi Cymunedol Gwynedd Cyfyngedig (CCG) was established on 12th April 2010, when 6,300 homes were transferred to CCG from Gwynedd Council. One of the association’s key aims is to bring all of their 6,300 homes up to the Welsh Housing Quality Standard, as required by the Welsh Assembly Government. Over the next 30 years it is estimated that £446 million will be spent on repairs and improvements, and £136 million will be spent in the first five years.

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