Building Briefs – July 23rd

Emtec Facility Services has been included in the Crown Commercial Service’s £12 billion facilities management marketplace framework.

The deal which is spread over four years will cover facilities management services including mechanical and electrical maintenance and security. This exciting opportunity will allow Emtec FS to expand its current public service portfolio across the UK.

John Kenny, CCS deputy director for workplace, said: “The launch of the FM Marketplace allows the public sector to buy a wide range of facilities management services from the very best suppliers the market has to offer, all at competitive and sustainable prices.”

Stornoway site identified for affordable housing development

A site at Blackwater on the Isle of Lewis has been identified as potential space for new affordable housing.

The site is located adjacent to the existing Gleann Dubh development.

It is part of a programme of site identification by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to assess larger potential housing sites in and around Stornoway.

The council’s planning service has also drafted a Planning Brief to help move the potential Blackwater development along.

The Brief aims to inform a more expanded masterplanning exercise by a potential developer, and aid planning appraisal of any future development proposals for the site.

Comments from the public and any stakeholders are encouraged.

£1.6m energy efficiency grant secured for Argyll and Bute residents

Argyll and Bute Council has secured a grant worth around £1.6m to help make energy efficiency improvements in local homes.

It will help residents install external/internal wall insulation, underfloor insulation, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation.

The funding has been offered as part of the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area Based Scheme.

The programme is available to owner occupiers and private rented householders living in council tax bands A to C, and band D with an income less than £20,000. For people living on an island, the programme is also available to people living in band D and above with an energy rating of E or below.

Breaking ground on Aberdeen’s digital transformation

Work to transform Aberdeen into one of the world’s most digitally connected cities kicks off today.

CityFibre has started construction work to extend its infrastructure throughout the city.

This latest phase of development represents £40 million private investment from CityFibre as part of its strategic partnership with Vodafone to deliver full fibre connectivity to 1m UK homes and businesses by 2021. Aberdeen is the first of three Scottish cities set to undergo digital transformation as part of the scheme, with Edinburgh and Stirling to follow later in 2018.

The work is being delivered by GCU Ltd on CityFibre’s behalf, starting with streets in Kincorth and Cummings Park, with Smithfield starting soon after. The company will use modern build techniques to deploy the network quickly, while working closely with the council and local communities to ensure a fast and successful roll-out with minimum disruption to residents.