Merseyside based equipment and tool hire company scoops National Award

SPEEDY Asset Services Ltd wins Most Considerate Supplier Runner Up at Considerate Constructors Scheme 2017 National Awards. The Considerate Constructors Scheme; the national scheme established by the construction industry to improve its image; has recognised the highest performing Companies and Suppliers at this year's National Awards.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme's National Awards are 1 of the most respected accolades in UK construction. By registering with the Scheme, companies and suppliers demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the image of the industry.

Speedy Asset Services Ltd, whose Head Office is based in Merseyside, was awarded Most Considerate Supplier Runner Up, at both of the prestigious awards ceremonies, on 2 November and 3 November 2017, held at the Four Seasons Hotel London, at Park Lane, London.

All registered eligible suppliers and companies had their considerate performance assessed against the Scheme's Code of Considerate Practice, from 1 August 2016 to 31 July 2017, as part of the awards process.

The awards recognise the highest performing suppliers and companies who have demonstrated excellence in relation to the community, the environment and their workforce. Speedy Asset Services Ltd is a principal facilities and asset provider to the construction industry, offering plant and equipment hire and maintenance, as well as professional training and a range of support services.

Registered with the Scheme for just 16 months, this company is already making a huge impact as a considerate company, achieving all round excellent scores after acting upon the Scheme's Code of Considerate Practice, as well as Monitor advice and feedback. 

In total, 22 Gold, 37 Silver and 55 Bronze awards were presented to Registered Companies, while 3 Gold, 5 Silver and 1 Bronze were awarded to registered suppliers. Of the Gold Award winners, 10 shortlisted companies received the:- 'Most Considerate Company Runner Up' award and 2 suppliers received:- 'Most Considerate Supplier Runner Up' awards.

Considerate Constructors Scheme Executive Chairman Isabel Martinson said:- "Each year the Scheme is amazed by the increasingly innovative and ingenious ways that companies and suppliers devise to elevate their levels of consideration to the community, workforce and environment. On behalf of the Scheme, I would like to offer huge congratulations to all of this year's award winners who have worked extremely hard to raise standards of consideration, both within their own organisations and for the good of the entire industry. We look forward to continuing to work with the industry to raise standards in considerate construction to an even higher level."

More landlords may be required to obtain license

WIRRAL Council is set to take action against rogue landlords through extending a licensing scheme which forces them to improve their properties; or face seeing them being taken off the market. Selective Licensing, which requires landlords to agree to a range of conditions around the standards of their accommodation, is being extended through some of Wirral's more deprived communities, after helping to drive up the quality of rented accommodation in parts of Birkenhead.  The proposal on the table, which the Council's Cabinet will be asked to send through to public consultation at its next meeting, on 27 November 2017, is to extend the scheme to cover 4 more parts of East Wirral, areas where there is a higher than average number of private rented housing available and a high turnover of tenants.  The 4 new areas proposed are:- Hamilton Square, Seacombe St Pauls, Birkenhead West and Birkenhead Central. These would join Egerton North, Birkenhead South, Seacombe Library and Egremont Promenade South as Selective Licensing areas.

Cllr George Davies, Wirral Council Cabinet member for Housing and Community Safety, said:- "Wirral residents demand; and deserve; to live in good quality, safe and attractive housing. The availability of private rented accommodation has more than doubled in Wirral in the last 10 years and while we know that many of these properties are of an excellent standard, managed by responsible landlords, there are others that aren't up to scratch. We will not tolerate Wirral residents being forced to live in poor conditions by irresponsible landlords. This licensing scheme is a good way for us to tackle this issue and, where a landlord does not live up to their responsibilities to their tenants, we will not hesitate to take action against them. Our Selective Licensing scheme supports improvement in the quality of housing in the areas of Birkenhead and Wallasey where it is applied. It has brought many social and health benefits along with it and people from across the political spectrum have rightly highlighted its success and championed it for their own area, calling for its expansion. This is where the Council needs to step in and use all the powers that we have to drive up the standards of this housing on behalf of tenants and this is what we are aiming to do by extending the Selective Licensing scheme."

A number of landlords living in the 4 existing areas, who have either failed to obtain licenses for their properties or fallen foul of the conditions they agreed to, have already been prosecuted by the Council, which demonstrates the commitment the local authority has to the scheme and its objectives.  If Cabinet approves the business case and consultation plan, the next step is for the Council to begin a 10 week consultation process to gather the views of tenants, landlords and residents before making a final decision.