North Somerset Council
Services
Legislative mechanical, electrical and energy compliance, through the provision of an inspection, testing and maintenance service to over 200 corporate properties and 80 schools throughout North Somerset.
Contract detail
An initial innovative contract begun in 2004 and developed for a further five years in 2009 providing comprehensive technical and CarbonCare services to schools and numerous other council buildings across the portfolio.
What was North Somerset Council looking for?
The original need was a desire to do things differently and break the spiral of deteriorating assets and increasing maintenance costs in the schools. In older buildings these costs were escalating and combined with rising energy costs were diverting important resources from investment in the primary teaching budgets. The council sought cost stability, budget predictability and simplified contractual arrangements, to ensure important legislative health and safety compliance.
How did we help?
A unique new contract model has been developed through a locally based dedicated team of engineers. Through self delivering the majority of services we have been able to improve maintenance regimes, ensure all aspects of legislative compliance are maintained and good energy management practices are introduced and developed. The savings made from the new contract model have generated revenue for further capital investment to improve assets and create a fund for investing in more capital intensive energy saving solutions – including renewables. The MITIE team also now assist in the management of the council’s participation in the CRC energy efficiency scheme.
The results…
- A joined up compliance, maintenance and energy management contract, delivering higher levels of service and avoiding potential disruption due to plant failure;
- Fixed long-term costs, with budget stability;
- Proactive management of volatile energy price increases;
- Energy consumption predictability, through an optional unique capital investment structure;
- Better clarity on ongoing capital expenditure needs;
- Significant carbon emissions reduction;
- Improved Ofsted ratings for schools through student involvement in environment awareness seminars.