Connaught starts work on 拢125m integrated services contract after council resolves dispute with previous provider Morrison

Contractor Morrison has settled a dispute with Norwich City Council over the award of housing repairs and maintenance work to rival Connaught.

The deal allows Connaught to begin work on the 拢125m integrated services contract it won with the council in December to provide waste and recycling, grounds maintenance, street cleaning, tree works, council house repairs, maintenance and improvements, gas and solid fuel maintenance and servicing, asbestos management and electrical and mechanical servicing.

The award of the permanent contract was originally delayed as a result of an injunction brought by Morrison, the incumbent provider.

A spokeswoman for Norwich City Council said: 鈥淲e鈥檙e pleased we鈥檝e been able to resolve our differences with Morrison in connection with the demobilisation of CityCare services.

鈥淪tarting from today our two main contactors, Connaught Partnerships Limited and Norse Commercial Services Limited, will begin work on delivering the council鈥檚 multi-million pound services.鈥

Connaught said it began work as planned on 1 April under a short-term contract and the permanent contract is due to start on 8 April. Peter Jones, chief executive of Connaught Partnerships, said he was 鈥渄elighted鈥 at the news. 鈥淭his ends many weeks of uncertainty and brings much needed peace of mind both for residents and for the CityCare staff who TUPE transferred to us this morning.

A spokesperson for Morrison said: 鈥淢orrison and Norwich City Council are pleased to have resolved their differences over the demobilisation of CityCare services and look forward to a seamless transition to the new service providers.鈥