Islington Council has approved a strategy for domestic gas boiler services and repairs, ensuring the continued provision of safe and reliable heating for residents and strengthening accountability and value for money.
The council's Executive has backed a procurement strategy for domestic gas boiler installations, servicing, and repairs, which will support the existing in-house team. Councillor Jason Jackson, Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, stated that resident safety remains the top priority. The approved strategy aims to ensure continuity of service, compliance with statutory responsibilities, and establish a long-term procurement approach that will strengthen performance, accountability, and value for money. The projected outcomes include ensuring the continuation of safe and reliable heating and hot water services for residents, maintaining high standards of compliance, and preparing for future transitions to lower carbon heating solutions.
The Executive approved a direct contract award to Castlepoint Gas for boiler installations for a period of up to 12 months, with an estimated cost of up to £19 million. Variations to existing contracts with GEM Environmental Building Service Ltd and British Gas Social Housing Limited were also approved to extend repairs and servicing for 13 months, with estimated costs of £2.6 million and £4.65 million respectively.
This move comes as the council acknowledges its statutory responsibilities regarding domestic gas boiler safety and maintenance. Gas safety is classified as a high-risk operational area due to the potential severity of service failures, which can result in significant health and safety hazards for residents, legal liabilities, and reputational damage for the council. The annual gas servicing compliance rate is a critical tenant safety requirement and a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for the council, reflecting its commitment to meet legal obligations under the Gas Safety (installation and use) Regulations 1998 and Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022. Compliance with Awaab's Law, which mandates that social landlords retain full responsibility for ensuring suppliers and managing agents comply with all relevant regulations and legal obligations, is also a central requirement.
While the current strategy focuses on gas boilers, there are plans to transition away from them in the future. Councillor Jason Jackson stated that the procurement strategy is designed to remain flexible and support future plans to decarbonise.
The council's climate and energy teams are working closely with housing to identify opportunities for this transition. Councillor Hayes added that It's not a closed case for gas going forward. It's an opportunity for us to maintain what we've got, ensure that residents are warm. We've also got legislation with Awab's law we need to adhere to, so it's important that we are keeping our homes warm. And there's always one eye on the future, so we're looking at funding opportunities through local government and ensuring that we are switched on to that.
The existing in-house team of gas engineers operates in the north of the borough but faces challenges in recruiting and retaining sufficient qualified personnel, currently operating at approximately 63% of its planned staffing capacity. This team lacks the resources and expertise to deliver all planned and reactive domestic gas boiler installations. The external suppliers will therefore support this existing provision, as well as the servicing and maintenance of boilers in public buildings owned by the council, where the boilers are of a suitable type.
This decision was made at the Executive meeting on 25 June 2026. Further details can be found in the Public reports pack and Decisions documents.
