Following the news (broken on wera.org.uk EXCLUSIVELY last week) that KPMG, the administrator that took charge of Connaught Partnerships and made the housing maintenance specialist staff redundant in Lambeth and across the country in a phone call on Thursday night, Lambeth Living has announced that Morrison Facility Services has taken over its housing repairs service with immediate effect.

The decision was taken by the Lambeth Council’s Cabinet on Monday evening, following an emergency report submitted by Lambeth Living. Connaught plc and Connaught Partnerships Ltd went into administration last Tuesday, 7th September, and KPMG were appointed as the administrator who began to look for a buyer as the company had made huge losses and failed to secure loans to keep the company afloat. Lambeth Living were only legally able to withdraw the contract once Connaught had entered administration, which left a void for repairs beyond a priority one, which is within twenty four hours.

Many residents had to wait while Lambeth cabinet met to decide what would happen to the repairs in Lambeth. Following this meeting, it was felt that Morrison were in the best position to take control of the backlog of repairs and take control of the contract until March when all the boroughs contracts are due to change, with Morrison keeping the central area which Weir Estate forms part of. Connaught provided responsive repairs to Weir Estate, although any empty properties will be given to Mears to make good as Morrison does not have the capacity for this work. Connaught Environmental and Compliance two other arms of the company are unaffected by the liquidation of Connaught Partnerships which has now seen over 1,500 staff losing their jobs. Morrison has also offered 24 Connaught staff contracts under the new deal and to manage the demand.

The new contract has already commenced and all works in the Lambeth Living priority system are said to be in the process of getting under way. Many residents are sure to be relieved that their household repairs are getting underway. Many of Lambeth Living’s Senior management met over the weekend to ensure the change over was ready for the Lambeth cabinet meeting. Before entering administration it had been expected that Connaught’s contract would be extended until April. The company was said to have debts of £220 million. Dave McEvoy, WERA Chair said of the news “This is a huge relief to residents as we felt we was somewhat in limbo, we as a proactive residents association will embrace the new contractor and do what we can to make sure there is no drop in service delivery as well as welcoming them to our estate.”

Lambeth Living have assured residents they are continuing to monitor the situation and that though it will take a few weeks, Morrison are the in the process of clearing the backlog.