Ipswich Borough Council is set to consider plans for a new four-year framework to support the ongoing maintenance, improvement and safety of its council homes.
As part of the proposal, the new framework will be renamed HOMES (Housing Repairs, Operations, Maintenance, Environmental and Safety).
HOMES would bring a wide range of housing services under one single arrangement, enabling the council to appoint a number of contractors across 19 specialist areas. These include responsive repairs, electrical and gas safety works, damp and mould treatment, roofing, plumbing, fire safety improvements, disabled adaptations, sheltered housing improvements and environmental works.
This would replace the council’s current contract framework (AIME – Adaptations, Improvements, Maintenance, Environmental), which is due to expire in September 2027.
There will be no change to the maintenance programme, but the framework within which the services operate would be new. It would help to ensure council homes continue to meet both the national Decent Homes Standard and the council's own Ipswich Standard.
The proposal will be presented to the council's executive on 3 November 2026. If approved, procurement would begin for the new HOMES framework, to run from 2027 to 2031 and provide a flexible and efficient way for the council to commission repair, maintenance and improvement works across its housing.
Councillor Alasdair Ross, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said:
“Providing safe, secure and well-maintained homes for our tenants is one of the council's most important responsibilities. HOMES will help us continue investing in our housing stock, improve the quality of our homes and secure value for money for our tenants and leaseholders.
“By appointing a range of contractors across specialist areas, we will have greater flexibility, resilience and capacity to respond to our housing needs while maintaining high standards of quality and performance.”
The programme has been designed to encourage competition and deliver value for money, while creating opportunities for smaller and local contractors to bid for work.
Contractors appointed through HOMES would be expected to demonstrate strong environmental credentials and support the council's ambitions to reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste and improve sustainability across housing maintenance and improvement projects.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- HOMES supports the council’s Housing Asset Management Strategy 2024-2030, which prioritises safe and secure homes, effective repairs and maintenance, improved housing quality, decarbonisation and an excellent customer experience for tenants.
- If approved, HOMES will replace the council's existing AIME (Adaptations, Improvements, Maintenance and Environmental) arrangements.
- HOMES does not commit the council to spending on any specific works. Individual projects and contracts will continue to be subject to the appropriate budget approvals, governance arrangements and value-for-money assessments.
- Subject to executive approval, the council will also begin the required statutory consultation with leaseholders on the proposed long-term arrangement.