Powys forms joint venture company

A new joint venture company, involving a business from Bedforshire, will deliver all of Powys County Council’s building repair and maintenance services from this summer, it has been announced

The new company will be registered in Powys and will be 50 per cent owned by the council and Kier Group “to help maintain standards and engagement with service users,” according to the council.

The council today announced that following “a full and extensive procurement process”, it is intending to appoint Kier as its partner who will own the remaining 50 per cent of the company

“This decision means that all repairs, maintenance, minor works and statutory testing for the council’s housing, public and commercial buildings will be carried out by the new joint venture company,” said the statement.

“It will also deliver major building projects (such as new schools) and provide technical construction advice to the council.

There has been concern that local contractors and suppliers had been excluded from the process, but the council says the decision to appoint the Befordshire based company followed a transparent process 

Strategic Director – Place Paul Griffiths said: “Building and facility management is an important service for the council and we are delighted to be working with an experienced private sector partner. We are delighted to see the investment Kier is bringing to the partnership as well as the skill, knowledge and capacity they will provide to the staff group.

“This exciting new venture, which we hope will be fully operational by July, will improve services for the citizens of Powys, creating a sustainable company which will contribute to the local economy

“Joint venture initiatives are being increasingly adopted by local authorities throughout the country as a very effective means of maintaining services whilst achieving the savings imposed on all authorities 

“I believe that this joint venture will be a positive for the council as it will contribute significantly to our long term financial position in a sustainable manner,” he added.

Kier executive director for development, property and services, Nigel Turner said: “This joint venture draws on the knowledge and experience of our workplace services and housing maintenance businesses, and is a great example of us bringing together the Group’s breadth of expertise to provide a bespoke service to clients.

“We have a strong track record in Wales and are very much looking forward to providing vital services to the local community, making a real difference to the lives of the people who rely on them.”