Powerminster Gleeson Services delivers lighting maintenance and electrical services to LiLAC residents

(08/12/2009)

The Leeds Independent Living Project will deliver purpose-designed new homes for 343 adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs, who currently live in 13 large residential homes, allowing them to live closer to their own communities in smaller, more independent settings. Powerminster Gleeson Services has started work on a 25 year facilities management contract, which involves 39 schemes within the Leeds Independent Living Accommodation Consortium (LiLAC).

The contract, which will span 25 years, includes providing both hard and soft facilities management services to the PFI project, which includes the life cycle replacement of boilers, light fittings and white goods for the properties. It also includes heating and lighting maintenance, electrical and mechanical services, drains cleaning, grounds maintenance, decorating and graffiti removal, as part of ensuring that at all times tenants are warm, comfortable and safe.

Michael Walton, Scheme Manager for Powerminster Gleeson Services, explains: “This is a major contract win for us and demonstrates our expertise in offering a full facilities management service for residential properties. Our staff working on this contract are local people, all of whom have experience on similar projects of a sensitive nature, which we feel is important in ensuring a smooth and efficient delivery of the service.”

Work on the £60m contract began in June 2008 and is scheduled for completion in June 2011. The 25 year housing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) between Leeds City Council and the Leeds Independent Living Accommodation Company (LiLAC) Consortium involves 73 houses, bungalows and small blocks of flats been built across Leeds in phased developments.

David Brown, Contracts Manager for Adult Learning Services at Leeds City Council, explains: “Facilities management is a vitally important part of this contract. For many of the residents it will change their lives as they will be living in properties where they have 24 hour access to emergency repairs and their homes are maintained on a planned basis as part of providing a smoother running building. We are pleased to be working with Powerminster Gleeson Services on this project as they have the expertise in working with tenants with sensitive needs, which will help lead to greater satisfaction for residents in their new homes.”

Building contractor Jack Lunn Construction also selected Powerminster Gleeson Services electrical installation division to carry out the electrical installation, because of the company’s expertise in providing high quality installation works for both private and public sector projects.

Progress Care Housing Association is the Registered Social Landlord for this project and holds a national reputation for providing quality housing in the community for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs.

The project is part of a wider modernisation programme in Leeds to improve the quality of life for people with learning and living disabilities and needs. Individualised packages of care and support will be delivered through Leeds City Council and other partners which will promote independence, well-being and choice.

Related categories:  Electrical installation   Lighting system   Residential   Tools and installation equipment