MORRISON Facility Services, the company that carries out repairs on the council’s housing stock, has been bought out for £24million.


Mears, a provider of social housing repairs and maintenance services, completed the acquisition on Thursday.


The council met with senior executives of Mears this week.

Morrison had been half-way through a six month “rectification plan” with the council looking at leaving the agreement it struck with the firm in 2010.
 

In September, the council’s cabinet member responsible for housing, Val Morris-Cook, announced that the “disappointing” contract will not be extended beyond 2015.


She added that her team were looking at ways of ending the “convoluted” contract early.


The “rectification plan” was at the heart of discussions the council had with Mears this week.
 

A corporate scorecard performance report due to go before cabinet this week showed that in August, the level of satisfaction from council tenants over the housing repairs service was at 65 per cent, 15 per cent below the councils target.


A Thurrock Council spokesman said: “Thurrock Council is aware that Morrison Facilities Services, the firm which provides the council’s responsive repairs service, has been bought by Mears, a social housing organisation.


“The council will seek confirmation that the new owner is in a position to resource this contract and will prioritise Thurrock as a client.”


David Miles, Mears Group Chief Executive said: "This is an exciting acquisition for Mears and we look forward to welcoming Morrison staff to the Mears family. I am confident that this will bring benefits for clients, tenants and staff.


"We will work closely with all partners to ensure a smooth a transition as possible towards an integrated, sustainable, customer focussed Group."