Project synopsis
Mears deliver an all-encompassing service carried out in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council, to fully maintain and repair every property within the Council’s portfolio of 36,700 tenanted properties and over 1,000 public buildings.
North Lanarkshire Council and Mears are joint partners in the LLP ensuring we have continued investment in the North Lanarkshire community for the long-term. The two organisations are truly integrated, with a shared commitment to deliver excellent services to residents, whilst bringing community and training benefits to the North Lanarkshire community in a sustainable way. Contract KPIs have been increased from 90% to 95% as part of this commitment.
What did we do?
On average Mears complete over 75,000 internal and external repairs annually, 365 days a year by core, out of hours and emergency teams. Mears provide electrical services including occupied and void rewires, domestic ventilation and Electrical Systems Testing (EICR). On average 120 electrical safety tests are carried out a week.
Mears also deliver capital works which include major structural works, kitchen and bathrooms, decorating services, blacksmith services, groundworks and more. Mears also cover services such as fencing, decommissioning, adaptations and wet rooms for vulnerable tenants. Mears provide electrical checks, plumbing, plastering, decoration and joinery.
Mears provide £10.5m of services to void properties including electrical checks, plumbing, plastering, decoration and joinery. The team have worked tirelessly to help assist in the prevention of homelessness.
The services provided also maintain public and educational buildings including schools. Work includes minor contract refurbishment, plumbing, roofing and office upgrades. On average Mears fit 9 fire doors a day, sealant in tower blocks are also installed and commercial gas services to public buildings.
Mears also facilitate the planning, delivery and set up of polling stations including equipment for 265,000 people registered to vote within North Lanarkshire. Managing the uplift of 768 ballot boxes and delivery to counting centers including staff and security until the count is complete.
What were the outcomes?
Since the partnership started with North Lanarkshire Council, Mears has consistently delivered against strategic KPI’s and has continually improved service delivery through the following activities:
- Flexible working patterns to address emergencies – to ensure Mears offer emergency repairs 7 days per week, 365-day a year with coverage from 8am to 10pm
- Joint contact centre – joint working arrangements between Mears and North Lanarkshire have delivered efficiencies across the contract and enable closer working for both parties.
- Van stock review – the strategic review has minimised down time and driven efficiencies.
- Void property approach – through a joint pre inspection of all void properties, the delivery of materials is now automated to site in advance of works. This has minimised travel and down time of the team to focus on productive installation.
Investment in North Lanarkshire Pound
- Salaries totalling £19m per annum
- Local procurement of materials totalling £9.5m per annum
- Payments of £11m per annum to local supply chain partners
- Training 150 and employing 51 apprentices achieving a 98% retention rate on all apprenticeships
- Employment of 485 employees within North Lanarkshire working on the contract
Delivering during the pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic Mears delivered approximately 500 emergency repairs where employees went the extra mile, working on days off to attend to call out emergencies. Mears also delivered repairs to 10,291 void properties including the installation of 373 kitchens and 284 bathrooms to assist the government in the prevention of homelessness. As part of Scottish Government policy to return pupils to school, social distancing measures were installed including signage and sanitising stations to all educational properties throughout North Lanarkshire. Mears completed this work to over 170 properties within a six-week period.
Social Value Activity
In 2012 Mears and North Lanarkshire Council started the Safer Homes project. The project offers a free service to householders from North Lanarkshire who would benefit from additional safety and security measures. The referrals come from various agencies including community police, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Social work, domestic abuse unit and many more.
This is managed by Mears, who also provide a van and an operative one day per week. As the referrals are for the most vulnerable members of North Lanarkshire this work is carried out by one dedicated operative. Mears have won several awards for the project, Regen Building Communities Award 2012, Mears Community Project 2017 and currently nominated for police divisional excellence awards for partners.
