16/06/08 - Changing Communities in Birmingham with the BCP
One of the most active players in the housing market in the Midlands, Thomas Vale’s expertise spans every corner of the housing spectrum. From large scale new build schemes to its work as part of the Decent Homes Standard its technical knowledge, experience and ability to think outside of the box has positioned the contractor at the top of its game.
Thomas Vale’s experience in the housing arena dates back as far as 1869 but even with such a long and successful history this is not a contractor that is standing still. Committed to adding value for its clients, Thomas Vale is passionate about moving innovation forward and continues to examine fresh ways of working that will create greater efficiencies for its clients. Continuous improvement, innovative partnership and the involvement of local communities are all central to Thomas Vale’s housing schemes, which are underpinned by a detailed understanding of the role housing has to play in the sustainable communities of the future.
After the successful extension of the Birmingham Construction Partnership between Birmingham City Council, Urban Design, Thomas Vale Construction and two other contractors, who are helping to deliver over £500m worth of projects until 2011, the Birmingham Decent Homes Programme is one of the most forward thinking and advanced in the UK, with Client Satisfaction at an all time high of 94%.
Learning from their experiences in year one and two of the programme, Thomas Vale Construction has been instrumental in leading Birmingham Construction Partnership towards improved working practices.
With 70,000 directly managed homes, Birmingham City Council, the largest local authority landlord in the UK and Midlands based contractor Thomas Vale Construction, through the Birmingham Construction Partnership, has the responsibility for raising the standard of almost one fifth of total housing stock.
To date, over 23,000 homes across the city of Birmingham have been brought up to the Decent Homes Standard, ensuring warmth and comfortable facilities.
Tony Hyde, Managing Director, Thomas Vale Construction adds:
“Our relationships with our Supply Chain are critical for the delivery of both savings and programme and they are an integral part of our team. Thomas Vale Construction is extremely proud to be working in Birmingham and to be a part of the Birmingham Construction Partnership. Most importantly, we want to make certain that we are providing the best possible service for the residents of Birmingham ensuring that we are easily accessible, honest and that we can play an integral part in the well being of their community.”
The Partnering arrangement was developed and procured by Urban Design on behalf of the Council in January 2004 with Thomas Vale Construction and two other contractors being appointed to join a long-term partnering arrangement, which has formally been extended until 2011.
The desire to afford better value is exemplified by the fact that the Partnership has a non-contractual agenda. A culture of efficiency has developed, with effective teamwork.
The Birmingham Construction Partnership is one of the most celebrated in the country and has won many industry accolades, including an award from the West Midlands Centre of Constructing Excellence for Sustainability and awards from industry publications such as Contract Journal and Building for their approach to Long Term Partnering.
To date, Urban Design, Thomas Vale Construction and the Partnership has helped to save Birmingham City Council over £120m.
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