Contractor brought in over council home heating systems

Work to service heating in Newtown council houses has been handed to an outside contractor.

The move follows  issues identified following a “drop” in Heart or Wales Property Services (HOWPS) service delivery, Powys County Council (PCC) issued a “step-in” notice to take direct control of all heating services at least until the end of the current financial year.

The company is a joint venture between PCC and Kier Facilities Services Ltd and its purpose is to repair and maintain the housing, public and commercial buildings that are looked after by the council.

Several members of the PCC cabinet and senior staff are directors on the HOWPS board.

The problems emerged following a question put to the PCC cabinet by Labour group leader, Cllr Mathew Dorrance who asked: “Why has the council failed to properly protect tenants, what is it doing to put the problem right and how can our tenants have confidence in the Council to make sure they are not put at risk?”

Portfolio holder for, economic development, housing and regulatory services, Cllr James Evans answered: “Following a change to the way gas servicing was delivered, there was a drop in service delivery.

“This was identified and officers have been working with HOWPS and senior Kier officers to deliver urgent progress.

“When performance was not improving as quickly as required, we took the decision to issue a step-in notice to HoWPS in terms of heating servicing.

“As a result, the council will directly commission all heating servicing due for renewal in the months of March and April. Contractor Robert Heath Limited will do the work.

“This will allow HOWPS time to embed improved processes and systems work to reinstate the two-month buffer required.”

Cllr Evans added that if HOWPS meet the improvement targets – a “step-out” notice will be issued and the service returned to normal.

“The council took decisive and swift action when performance dropped below acceptable levels and tenants can be assured that their well-being is our highest priority,” said Cllr Evans.

By Elgan Hearn, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Photo: Powys County Council offices in Newtown