Caption: Construction services colleagues receive a certificate from Councillor Peter Gruen and Tony Butler, head of maintenance operation, property and contracts at Housing Leeds.
Council
staff in Leeds are the only local authority gold standard winners in the
Considerate Constructor Scheme awards.
The
prestigious award has been given to the construction services team within
Housing Leeds – the council’s housing arm.
The
team were one of 16 who achieved the gold national award
for 2014 and the only council to feature among the list of well-known construction
companies.
The
award was established to improve the image of the construction industry and
companies registered are monitored against a code designed to encourage them to
go beyond statutory requirements and display exceptional best practice.
The 247-strong
construction services team provide a full range of refurbishment and maintenance
services to the 17,587 council homes in east Leeds. Construction services also make
adaptations to 54,000 properties across the city.
The
team received acknowledgement for delivering a friendly and efficient service
while carrying out works with tenants still living in their property.
Councillor Peter Gruen, executive member
for neighbourhoods, planning and personnel, said:
“Working
in people’s homes takes a special kind of approach and I’d like to thank all
the staff for their efforts.
“The
team should be particularly proud; the award demonstrates that they are now
considered to be the best at what they do in the country, alongside national
construction companies.
“As well as providing new flagship council
homes we must ensure that existing homes are kept in top condition.”
The
Considerate Constructors Scheme noted that:
·
Working in tenants’ homes as they are in
residence demands particular attention to considerate site practices which was
delivered in full measure with smartly uniformed operatives delivering a
friendly and efficient service.
·
Each vehicle carried a full complement of
parts and tools, minimising the need for any return visits, and a hand-held
computer system ensured efficient appointment scheduling.
·
The main depot was particularly clean and
well-signed.
·
The team organises open days and regular
skills weeks, with a rolling programme of training and apprenticeships in
co-operation with Harrogate College.
·
The team has an open door policy to encourage
feedback and ideas from the workforce
·
The team paid exceptional attention to safety
awareness,
·
Housing Leeds construction services embraced
considerate construction to a very high degree.
For
media enquiries please contact:
Amanda
Burns, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1577
email: amanda.l.burns@leeds.gov.uk
ENDS