Kingston Council has awarded a new five-year contract worth over £1.1 million for cleaning services across its housing for older people (HfoP) schemes, hostels, and Queen Mary Hall.
The contract, secured by Bidder A, aims to maintain clean, safe, and hygienic communal environments for approximately 360 tenants and hostel licensees, as well as users of Queen Mary Hall.
The decision was made by the Corporate and Resources Committee on Thursday, 24 September 2026. The new contract, which begins on 1 January 2027, includes an option for two one-year extensions, subject to satisfactory performance.
The quality of bids was assessed across resident and building security, health and safety, performance management, resident engagement and complaint management, and social value. Bidder A met the required quality standards. Bidder B did not achieve the minimum score required for one of the scored quality questions, and therefore did not progress further in the evaluation process.
While only one bidder progressed beyond the quality threshold, the price was deemed to represent value for money and was comparable to other council cleaning contracts. The increased costs, estimated to be less than £1 per week per tenant on average, will be recouped through service charges.
Residents living in affected schemes were consulted during the preparation of the service specification. This consultation led to an increase in cleaning frequency in some common areas, particularly within the hostel estate, and the inclusion of previously unserviced areas. The new contract covers internal and external common areas of HfoP schemes, hostels, and Queen Mary Hall, reflecting resident desires for a more consistent cleaning presence.
The contract also incorporates social value commitments from Bidder A, focusing on employment, apprenticeships, and work experience. Bidder A's Social Value Action Plan outlines these commitments, which will be incorporated into the contract and monitored throughout its term to ensure delivery against the Council's social value requirements.
Councillor Andreas Kirsch, Co-Chair of the Corporate and Resources Committee, highlighted the importance of these services in maintaining resident well-being and the quality of their living environment.
Residents living in Hostels and Housing for Older People schemes will be included in an engagement and communication program after the contract award and subject to an agreed mobilization plan. They will be formally notified of revised charges through the Notice of Variation of Rents and Service Charges issued in March each year, effective from April 5th. The cleaning charge is eligible for inclusion in claims for Universal Credit/housing costs, subject to eligibility criteria.
The contract with Bidder A includes an option to extend for up to two further periods of one year each, subject to satisfactory performance. The contract will be subject to active management by Landlord Services, with performance monitored against the agreed service specification, cleaning schedules, key performance indicators, and contractual commitments. Regular contract performance meetings will be held with the supplier, supported by performance reporting, inspections, and action tracking. Any service issues or underperformance will be managed through the agreed contractual escalation arrangements. For more details on the committee meeting, refer to the Public reports pack and Agenda frontsheet.