HAMPSHIRE’S construction industry has been given a multi-million pound boost.

Hampshire County Council is offering contracts of up to £240 million over the next four years to local companies.

The local authority is looking a small group of contractors to work together to bid for and to complete a cluster of building projects across the county – reducing the overall cost of the schemes.

Known as the Building Minor Works Framework and Mechanical and Electrical Framework, they will provide opportunities for small to medium sized contractors to bid for public sector building, mechanical and electrical projects.

It will support building repairs and construction projects costing up to £1 million and recladding projects up to £2 million.

Door and window repairs and replacements up to £500,000 and roofing repairs and refurbishments up to £250,000.

The second scheme, which is the Hampshire Mechanical and Electrical Framework, will support electrical repair, refurbishment and installation projects up to £500,000 and mechanical repair, refurbishment and installation up to £500,000.

The proposed scheme is designed to complement the county council’s reactive maintenance term contracts and the multi-regional frameworks for major and specialist construction projects.

Executive member for income and capital receipts councillor Mel Kendal, pictured, said: “Hampshire County Council has always pioneered the concept of collaborative and innovative construction procurement arrangements, using the combined buying power of public-sector partners to raise standards and improve value for money in construction projects.

“Our approach provides continuity for contractors working with the council with the benefit of good value and available capacity to deliver significant volumes of work for public sector clients.”

He added: “This approach gives us an opportunity to support local firms, by offering a framework specifically for smaller projects. We know that local contractors provide great quality and value for money on these schemes, and now those that wish to bid, have the potential to see a sustained opportunity for a wider variety of projects, a consistent relationship with Hampshire County Council and ultimately, business growth.”

There will be a supplier engagement event hosted by Hampshire County Council’s Property Services on Wednesday, November 24 at Winchester Guildhall.