Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth.

(a)    That the award of a contract to GenOne for the repair of housing void properties, be approved.

(b)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth and the Director of Legal and Democratic to agree contract terms before the contract start.

Reason for the decision

To enable swift and effective repairs to housing void properties ensuring the optimum possible turn around and vacancy period, initially between April and September 2025, in advance of any new contractual arrangements for repairs and maintenance in Dorset.

The Cabinet Member for Property and Assets and Economic Growth set out a report and its recommendation to extend a contract with GenOne to carry out repair works to housing void properties, pending the establishment of new arrangements for the Council’s building and housing repairs. 

In response to questions around the timing of the contract, the use of an appropriate contractor and timing of void turnarounds, the Cabinet Member advised that there was some urgency to get this work completed as promptly as possible and approaching other companies would require a tendering process. The Cabinet Member for Health and Housing confirmed that the turnaround for a housing void had improved to 34 working days.

The Leader of the Council reminded the meeting that the paper before members was to seek an extension of a current contract. He further confirmed that, under tendering rules, the Council could not be ring-fence applications from Dorset based companies. 

It was proposed by Cllr R Biggs seconded by Cllr G Taylor

Decision

(a)    That the award of a contract to GenOne for the repair of housing void properties, be approved.

(b)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Property & Assets and Economic Growth and the Director of Legal and Democratic to agree contract terms before the contract start.

Reason for the decision

To enable swift and effective repairs to housing void properties ensuring the optimum possible turn around and vacancy period, initially between April and September 2025, in advance of any new contractual arrangements for repairs and maintenance in Dorset.