Wates begins 10-year housing repair programme in Crawley
Wates begins 10-year housing repair programme in Crawley
Wates implements alternative mobilisation plan to address disruptions created by Covid-19.
Wates has started a 10 year programme of housing repairs for Crawley Borough Council in the middle of a pandemic, after successfully assembling its teams using virtual and social distancing mobilisation measures.
Wates worked closely with the Council to implement a range of innovative methods to train staff and prepare vehicles and equipment to enable housing repair work to begin across the borough
This involved safely transferring 47 staff via TUPE from the previous repairs provider, some of whom had been furloughed or categorised as coronavirus high risk. 38 vehicles were also exchanged with risk assessments conducted in advance to ensure adherence to safe working guidelines.
Employee inductions were then conducted via Skype or in small groups at staggered intervals with social distancing practices applied. The integration of Wates’ and Crawley’s IT systems was carried out remotely by the contractor’s IT department.
This approach was also implemented across Wates’ housing repairs contract with Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, which also faced similar disruption as a result of Covid-19.
We faced huge challenges starting work in Crawley, with mobilisation taking place in the middle of the global pandemic. The safe transfer of 47 staff was extremely complex given their lockdown circumstances and we worked closely with union representatives and our partners at the Council to implement an alternative approach to the TUPE process. Our collective teams went to great lengths to find innovative solutions to overcome the restrictions caused by both isolation and social distancing requirements.
Thanks to this collaborative effort, work has now begun, and our priority now is to provide residents with the safest and highest quality service. We are off to a great start and look forward to working with the Council over the next decade to maintain and improve housing stock in Crawley.
Furthermore, we have been able to implement this mobilisation approach across another of our housing repairs contracts, which is testimony to the strength of our teams and capability to adapt during times of uncertainty.”
David Morgan
Managing Director of Wates Property Services
I am delighted that our contractors are now up and running, they have worked hard to implement measures that will ensure both the workforce and our residents will remain safe during appointments.”
Councillor Ian Irvine
Cabinet member for Housing at Crawley Borough Council
Wates is one of two contractors employed to carry out responsive repairs to 9,400 properties and 5,000 garages over the 10-year period. The contract will see Wates deliver responsive repairs, planned maintenance and work to refurbish void properties.
