Contracts sealed on £149m homes boost

HOUSING chiefs have given the local economy a timely £149 million boost.

First Choice Homes Oldham has announced details of the contractors which will undertake the housing association’s improvements to homes and communities over the next five years.

Companies from Oldham, Rochdale, Manchester and Lancashire are among the 14 specialists that have been appointed.

FCHO took over the running of Oldham Council’s 12,000 properties earlier this year following a tenants’ vote in favour of transferring the ownership and management of council housing stock.

FCHO chief executive Cath Green confirmed the contracts at a special event at the Queen Elizabeth Hall and pledged that local people will benefit from the multi-million pound investment.

She said: “The money will be spent improving tenants’ homes and estates — but this is about more than just bricks and mortar. Just as important are our contractors’ commitments to creating new apprenticeship schemes.

“We are working with local employment and training organisations to make sure that local people get those opportunities.

“We are committed to using local contractors wherever possible so even in these difficult economic times this is a major boost to the whole borough.”

The contractors have undergone a rigorous selection procedure and FCHO customers have been involved throughout. They have attended site visits to all the contractors and have agreed the customer-care process and discussed the key performance targets which the contractors will have to meet.

Clive Newton, managing director of Oldham-based firm Emanuel Whittaker, was delighted to be one of the selected contractors.

He said: “We have enjoyed a long relationship with the council and First Choice Homes but this is great news for the company. This gives us the opportunity to maintain our long-standing tradition of training and employing local people.”

Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet member for housing, transport and regeneration, said: “The council is delighted that the new framework of contractors has been announced.

“When we first agreed to consult tenants on transfer we could see the enormous benefits which it could bring to the whole community.

“First Choice Homes has hit the ground running and are carrying out the promises we made to tenants. This is a good day for the whole borough.”