Ordinary repairs are being delayed for the City of London Corporation’s social homes after a major contractor suspended its services.
By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter
Ordinary repairs are being delayed for the City of London Corporation’s social homes after a major contractor suspended its services.
Temporary alternatives have been drafted in after Chigwell halted work on May 15 due to what the Corporation has described as “operational issues.”
The fallout has meant emergency and urgent repairs are being prioritised for the Corporation’s 1,900 social homes.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said temporary contractors are in place and that work is ongoing to restore normal service levels. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked why the contract had been suspended, though this was not confirmed. Chigwell was also approached for comment.
Chigwell London, part of Chigwell Group, was awarded the contract for the Corporation’s Housing Responsive Repairs Maintenance and Voids last year.
Worth £14.31 million, it was divided into two lots, one for the repairs and maintenance of social housing and another for the Barbican Estate.
Last summer the Corporation however announced it would be bringing the Barbican work in-house after Chigwell submitted notice of its withdrawal. In communications issued to residents on May 18, seen by the LDRS, the Corporation wrote the services provided by Chigwell for its social housing were also being “temporarily suspended.”
“This is due to operational issues that are currently being reviewed,” the email continued. “We want to reassure you that we are working hard to minimise any disruption and to ensure there is no adverse impact on residents. Our priority remains maintaining a reliable service for you.”
The correspondence noted emergency and urgent repairs would be delivered through other approved contractors, and that there may be delays to non-emergency repairs during this period.
The LDRS has spoken to one tenant who said they know of a couple of residents who have had issues due to repairs being cancelled.
A City of London Corporation spokesperson said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, our existing repairs and maintenance contractor Chigwell has suspended its services.
“Our immediate priority is to ensure that residents living on our housing estates continue to have access to timely emergency and urgent repairs and maintenance and there is minimal impact on them.
“Temporary contractors are in place and we are working hard to restore normal service levels as quickly as possible.”
The City of London Corporation received a C3 rating from the Regulator of Social Housing (RSH) in February and was criticised for “serious failings” in the management of its stock.
The Corporation has since said it hopes to be “heading to” securing a C1 grade within two years, with a multi-million-pound investment plan directed to fixing up its estates.
