TENANTS across the Falkirk Council area have been promised quicker repairs thanks to a new approach by the local authority.
From this month, new ‘bolt on skills’ have been introduced in its building maintenance division (BMD).
The new approach means tradespeople can now complete a wider range of tasks in one visit. For example, a plumber fitting new bath taps can also remove and refit the bath panel, avoiding the need for another tradesperson to attend later.
For tenants, Falkirk Council said that means a quicker, more efficient service with fewer appointments to schedule, less time waiting at home, and faster completion of repairs. The change also helps reduce travel time, with fewer vehicles needed to attend a single job – lowering fuel costs and reducing carbon emissions.
The ‘bolt on’ training programme was delivered in-house with BMD staff adapting an under-used room into a training centre which will be used to support and develop the 40 apprentices currently employed in BMD.
Councillor Gary Bouse, spokesperson for housing, said, “This is a big win for our tenants. Fewer visits mean less disruption and quicker repairs, which is exactly what people want from their local Council. It’s about delivering a service that works around tenants’ lives, not the other way round.
“By expanding the skills of our workforce, we can tackle more tasks in one go. That saves time for our tenants and for our trades teams and it means we’re using our resources more efficiently. It also helps cut vehicle use which reduces our carbon emissions.
