Kent County Council has awarded a five-year contract to look after 120 buildings in Kent to an Oxford-based facilities management firm.

Amey will carry out building maintenance, cleaning, catering, community lettings, grounds maintenance, security and energy management under the deal, which has an option for a two-year extension.

The company has 350 employees in Kent which already work under KCC contracts for highways maintenance, transportation, environment and highways civil engineering design.

The value of its latest KCC contract was not disclosed.

Amey operates more than 320 contracts across the country and employs 21,000 people. It is owned by infrastructure management giant Ferrovial, whose clients include Heathrow.

KCC leader Paul Carter said: “Amey has the necessary experience to deliver a contract that meets our needs and we are sure that the company will help drive KCC’s cost-saving and efficiency plans over the next five years.

“The outsourcing of these facilities management services is part of our continuing drive to transform the way we deliver services in Kent.”

Amey chief executive Mel Ewell said: “We are delighted to build on our existing relationship with Kent County Council, creating a partnership that embraces local job creation and supports small and medium-sized enterprises.

“By implementing a pioneering model, we are able to deliver services more efficiently and support Kent in achieving their vision of enhancing the social and economic wellbeing of the local community.”