Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC)

Strategic partnership contract for the delivery of hard facilities management (FM) services, awarded under the long-established Property Services and Maintenance Partnership in 2025.

This contract builds on the previous Building Partnership agreement we had in place with the Council from 2013 and includes reactive maintenance (RM), planned preventative maintenance (PPM), minor works up to £25,000, and project works exceeding £25,000, with no upper limit per project and the introduction of an expanded scope of services including mechanical and electrical maintenance.

Since our initial engagement in 2013, operating under a ‘Partnering Arrangement’, we have implemented a 30% reduction in costs in the delivery of an extensive range of practical and trusted maintenance services to a vast, geographically dispersed estate.

Our expert team, providing a people focussed service, in close collaboration with SMBC, has to date improved response times by 80% in the completion of all planned, capital and reactive works to over 2000 buildings, previously extending our service provision under the previous partnership arrangement to include other Local Authorities such as Sandwell Council, Acivico (on behalf of Birmingham City Council), Walsall Council, Worcester City Council, and Cherwell District Council.

The successful operation of this contract is rooted in our robust mobilisation process and professional TUPE transfer of existing staff. From this solid platform, an On-Site Contracts Manager, 3 x Project Managers and a dedicated FM team, consisting of 20 Operatives with the skills and accredited training to complete all planned/reactive works and projects, ensure the practical and transparent delivery of SMBC’s expectations.

Examples of our flexibility on this contract include a full refurbishment of Solihull Council House (£2.5 million), refurbishment of Daylesford Academy (£1 million), and upgrades to Solihull’s children’s homes (£1.3 million).

Enhancing the contract operations further is the installation of a dedicated Quantity Surveyor Team, an on-site Asbestos and Legionella Team, and a 24/7 365 Helpdesk, which is seamlessly integrated with SMBC’s Capita System.

Furthermore, partnership with SMBC is embedded through mutually-agreed CSR initiatives and a commitment to local recruitment, utilisation of a local supply chain and an Apprenticeship programme with local F&HE Colleges.