Skinner Construction and MD Building Services fend off strong competition from national firms.

SKINNER Construction and MD Building Services have been given five-year contracts to undertake repairs and maintenance of council homes in East Devon.

Their work will include bringing vacant properties up to standard before re-letting to new tenants.

Contracts have been awarded following a tender process, described by East Devon District Council as “very competitive”.

Skinner Construction Ltd will perform this work in the east of the district and MD Building Services Ltd in the west of the district.

Councillor Jill Elson, Ccbinet member for sustainable homes and communities, says: “Thank you to Skinner Construction for providing an excellent maintenance service to council tenants for many years and congratulations to Skinners and MD Building Services for winning the tenders for the next five years. We look forward to forging an effective partnership with both contractors and maintaining a high standard of service for tenants.”

Owner of MD Building Services, Steve Devlin, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be working in partnership with East Devon District Council who sit in the heart of our operational base in Devon and are excited to welcome our new local staff and to serve the residents who will be at the centre of our service.”

Skinner Construction’s managing director, Philip Tucker, said: “This is splendid news and, considering the present difficult times, very welcome. We are proud to be continuing our long standing relationship with our local council.

“Our re-active maintenance department under the management of Andrew Sturgess has been working all out to secure this contract and I thank them, and also East Devon District Council, for inviting our company to tender against national competition.

“I would like to add my gratitude to the tenants for their patience and fortitude while we have had, at times, to carry out inconvenient repairs. “