Ipswich council homes are due to get a new way of arranging repairs and maintenance. The council’s executive will consider the proposal on 3 November 2026. If it is approved, a new four-year framework called HOMES would replace the current arrangements. The council says tenants should see no change to the maintenance programme itself.
What is HOMES?
HOMES stands for Housing Repairs, Operations, Maintenance, Environmental and Safety. It would bring a wide range of housing services together under one arrangement. Ipswich Borough Council could then appoint a number of contractors across 19 specialist areas.
The areas named in the proposal include:
- responsive repairs
- electrical and gas safety works
- damp and mould treatment
- roofing and plumbing
- fire safety improvements
- disabled adaptations
- sheltered housing improvements
- environmental works
HOMES would replace the council’s current contract framework, AIME (Adaptations, Improvements, Maintenance, Environmental). AIME is due to expire in September 2027. If the proposal is approved, procurement for HOMES would begin. The new framework would run from 2027 to 2031. The council describes it as a flexible and efficient way to commission repair, maintenance and improvement works across its housing.
What it means for tenants and leaseholders
The council says the maintenance programme will not change. Only the framework that the services operate within would be new. The aim is for council homes to keep meeting the national Decent Homes Standard and the council’s own Ipswich Standard.
Councillor Alasdair Ross, Portfolio Holder for Housing, described safe, secure and well-maintained homes as one of the council’s most important responsibilities. He said HOMES will help the council keep investing in its housing stock, improve the quality of homes and secure value for money for tenants and leaseholders.
“By appointing a range of contractors across specialist areas, we will have greater flexibility, resilience and capacity to respond to our housing needs while maintaining high standards of quality and performance.”
Leaseholders will also have a say. If the executive approves the plan, the council will begin the statutory consultation with leaseholders on the proposed long-term arrangement.
Opportunities for local businesses
The framework has been designed to encourage competition and deliver value for money. It also aims to create opportunities for smaller and local contractors to bid for work. That could matter to Ipswich trades and firms that have found large contracts out of reach in the past.
Contractors appointed through HOMES would be expected to show strong environmental credentials. They would also need to support the council’s ambitions to reduce carbon emissions, minimise waste and improve sustainability across housing maintenance and improvement projects.
HOMES supports the council’s Housing Asset Management Strategy 2024-2030. That strategy prioritises safe and secure homes, effective repairs and maintenance, improved housing quality, decarbonisation and an excellent customer experience for tenants.
The framework does not commit the council to spending on any specific works. Individual projects and contracts will still need the appropriate budget approvals, governance arrangements and value-for-money assessments.
What happens next
The proposal goes to the council’s executive on 3 November 2026. If it is approved, procurement for HOMES will begin, ahead of the current AIME arrangements ending in September 2027. For more information about council housing services, visit the council’s website at www.ipswich.gov.uk. Press enquiries can go to the council’s Press and Communications Manager, Catherine Simonds, on 07353 138 413.
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