What we did:
The Group Repair schemes were completed for the local authority to improve the housing stock and living environment across Carmarthenshire. Introduced in 1996 the contracts included both private and local authority owned properties in housing renewal areas at Ammanford, South Llanelli. Works included extensive internal and external renovation. Our biggest scheme was located at Garden Suburbs, Trimsaran where works were completed over 5 phases.
Client:
Carmarthenshire County Council
Works completed:
- Extensive internal and external works on local authority-owned properties.
- External renovations on privately owned properties.
- Complete internal refurbishment which included renewal of electrical/ heating systems, plastering, decoration and disabled adaptations.
- Re-roofing, external wall insulation, replacement of windows and doors.
- Garden walls and patios.
- Creation of parking bays in front of properties and at strategic points across the site.
Key things we had to consider:
- Ensuring effective health and safety management arrangements were adopted, communicated and monitored due to the contract being completed on a busy residential site of 200 houses. This included material storage, utilities, traffic management for site vehicles, deliveries, visitors and residents.
- To keep disruption to a minimum we rented land and accommodation from local businesses in the village. The land accommodated our deliveries, material storage and parking for works vehicles whilst the accommodation was used to establish our site office and welfare facilities. A one way system was also put in place a for works vehicles entering and leaving the estate.
Building standards we worked to:
- Carmarthenshire Home Standard
- LABC (Local Authority Building Control)
Community benefits from the building:
- Improved housing for residents, with the resulting benefits to people’s health and wellbeing.
- Sponsorship of local community groups and clubs.
Community benefits from the project:
- A safer environment due to improved parking.
Employment, work experience and training:
- 10 apprenticeships over the contract period.
- Shared apprentice placements over the contract period
- 2 trainee site manager opportunities
- 3 upskilling opportunities for our existing workforce.
- 15 local employment opportunities created over the contract period.
- Establishment of new plumbing and heating team (three engineers and three apprentices, included in figure above)
- More energy efficient housing leading to a reduction in energy use and cost.
- Less ongoing housing maintenance.
Contract value:
£12.5M
Duration:
5 years
Local Economy:
- 100% of the workforce from the SA postcode area
- 82% of total project spend in Wales.
Employment, work experience and training:
- 10 apprenticeships over the contract period.
- Shared apprentice placements over the contract period
- 2 trainee site manager opportunities
- 3 upskilling opportunities for our existing workforce.
- 15 local employment opportunities created over the contract period.
- Establishment of new plumbing and heating team (three engineers and three apprentices, included in figure above)
Fair payment targets met:
100%
