Marks & Spencers PLC
The Company
North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC) provides shared services for the county of Derbyshire. One of their main areas of service responsibility is Housing.
In 2001, the Government set a minimum criteria of repair for social housing to meet the Decent Homes Standard by the year 2010. As part of their investment plan to provide the required standard of homes, NEDDC has recently bid for approximately £60 million from the Government.
The Challenge
NEDDC has been charged with achieving the Decent Homes Standard across its housing stock. In response, the NEDDC has developed investment plans to demonstrate how they will maintain their housing stock and how necessary works will be funded. In order to assess repair requirements and timescales, a sound and cohesive approach to asbestos management was needed, including a schedule of asbestos surveys and reports.
As the Council's portfolio extend to Council Offices, Leisure Centres in addition to other categories, it was essential for all these properties to feature within the wider asbestos management strategy.
As the Council's own workforce enters properties to undertake work, Council housing stock falls under the description of workplaces and is not treated as domestic property by the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE).
NEDDC selected Life Environmental to implement an embracing strategy of asbestos management.
Our Solution
Our expertise of implementing and executing asbestos management strategies is exceptional. Our team competently provided a management plan that included a considered schedule of asbestos surveys on Council stock.
A schedule of surveying a representative of 20% of the Council's stock was agreed with the HSE since it is unviable to carry out surveys on 100% of the properties in one consignment.
The 20% was selected carefully to ensure an even representation of all types of dwelling. The allocation of a dedicated Project Manager secured a successful programme of asbestos management in line with the Council's wider objectives.
The Results
- Risk mitigation; through a comprehensive approach to asbestos management
- Return on Investment; on track to achieve the required standard of properties
- Cost efficiencies; via skilled Project Management and resource planning
