Council housing boss Deborah Upton

by Alan Watkins

The main work for the housing repairs contract at Medway Council is to be re-tendered by the council.

The multi-million pound contract was originally awarded to Erinaceous.

Within 12 months it had gone into administration.

It followed a political storm over three whistleblowers alarmed at overbilling and double charging for a variety of services.

The firm was sold to 3Cs, who have since sold it on to a third company, called Mears.

That company is allowed to carry out minor repairs up to £30,000 per house, but the major work - involving bathrooms, kitchens and roofs repairs and replacements - is being put up for grabs.

The work includes repairs that were supposed to be done last year and already a year behind.

Mears were given notice of the change, but will be able to bid for the revised contract against five other contractors.

The new one will run until next March. It should enable the council to catch up with the backlog of work.

Plans for future work will be put to councillors later in the year.

The original contract was awarded in 2006 to bring 3,000 council houses and flats up to the government’s “decent” standard.

During the first year Erinaceous only carried out half the contracted jobs but spent more than £500,000 above the allocated £4.2 million budget.

Members of the council’s cabinet will consider a report from Deborah Upton (pictured), the council’s housing boss, at their meeting today, Tuesday.