Plymouth Community Homes

Plymouth Community Homes has teamed up with community regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) West Midlands to support local communities across the city by creating new job opportunities and by using a local supply chain.

The largest single housing association in the South West, Plymouth Community Homes aims to help sustain people and the local economy by taking on new recruits and prioritising local companies above external suppliers to carry out regeneration work.

FHM, which forms part of the Keepmoat group, has already doubled the number of apprentices the firm originally intended to employ in the first six months as part of its £18 million contract with Plymouth Community Homes.

Part of Plymouth Community Homes’ pledge is to invest in communities and businesses across the city. Part of this approach has involved creating opportunities for apprentices as well as staff in whatever way it can both now and in the future. Its partnership with FHM is just one way of making this happen.

As many as five apprentices and one trainee have already been recruited and FHM is operating at 92% local labour since securing the contract in December last year.

FHM was awarded the multi-million pound contract as part of a five-year investment programme to bring thousands of former council homes up to the Plymouth Community Homes standard.

To deliver its transfer promises to tenants Plymouth Community Homes has awarded £75 million of work to four contractors.

The contract will deliver approximately 14,000 kitchen and bathroom refurbishments as part of Plymouth Community Homes’ five year framework agreement. All four contractors have agreed to use a single local supply chain to source materials for both the kitchen and bathrooms to secure the best economies of scale and value for money. This will provide a major boost to local suppliers and manufacturers.

Stuart Nicholls, FHM’s Contracts Manager, said: "We’ve been using local suppliers and this is particularly important in the current economic climate. Supporting local suppliers and sub contractors can lead to job creation as the demand for work goes up, and we’re also helping people retain their jobs. Wherever we work we try to give something back to the community and invest money in the local area.

"We plan to significantly increase the number of job opportunities later on this year."

Clive Turner, Chief Executive of Plymouth Community Homes, said: "Working with contractors such as FHM is just one example of how we are supporting local employment and local business. Our priority is residents, both current and future.

"We are committed to investing in the future of Plymouth in whatever way we can."

FHM has just completed refurbishment work on a sheltered housing scheme at Leypark Court in Leypark Walk, Plymouth. Ninety-three-year-old Dora Warne’s property was the first to be completed as part of FHM’s contract with Plymouth Community Homes. FHM has refurbished 29 units with modern new kitchens and bathrooms, much to the delight of tenants.

Dora said: "I only had my kitchen refurbished but I am delighted with the finish.

Ken Austin, Senior Sheltered Housing Officer said: "Before the refurbishment was carried out by FHM the kitchens and bathrooms were very worn and drab as they were around 19 years old. But they’re much better now, brighter and more modern and the kitchens are easier to use."

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