Cofely has been awarded a Total Facilities and Property Management (TFPM) contract by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames.

Encompassing around 80 corporate (non-housing) properties, the contract is initially for a seven-year term with the option to extend up to a further three years. It is expected to deliver £20m of direct savings over the life of the contract.

In addition, a framework agreement will be established alongside the main contract for similar services to be accessed by schools within the Borough at preferential rates.

Within an innovative partnership, the contract will see integration of property maintenance, facilities and energy management and procurement to drive down costs, improve performance and service delivery, while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. In parallel, there will be a transformation of the Council’s corporate property to release significant value and generate new income streams through commercialising the estate and assets.

A key element of the new partnership between Cofely and Kingston is a commitment to social values that will generate significant benefits for the local community. These include creation of local apprenticeships and employment of local people, with guaranteed training for all staff, as well as the development of supply relationships with local businesses.

Cofely staff will also proactively engage with local community volunteer programmes and provide work experience opportunities for schools that source services through the framework agreement.

Councillor David Cunningham of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames commented: “We were seeking a partner that is able to work with us strategically in identifying opportunities to create additional value from our property portfolio while also delivering significant cost savings. Following a rigorous tender exercise we identified Cofely as meeting all of our criteria.”

Cofely CEO Wilfrid Petrie added: “Through our experience of working with other local authorities we are ideally positioned to bring significant benefits to the Royal Borough of Kingston and its residents. We are looking forward to working with our new partners and realising the opportunities that this new relationship presents.”

Call 020 3680 5300 or visit www.cofely.co.uk