Council poised to award £6 million contract

Renfrewshire Council is close to appointing a contractor for the construction of 39 new build homes in Johnstone.

Local authority bosses have recommended the £ 6.1million contract for housing in the town’s Auchengreoch Road be awarded to McTaggart Construction.

The final say, however, lies with councillors, who will be asked to rubber-stamp the deal at today’s Finance, Resources and Customer Services Policy Board.

If elected members approve the contract, the official award is expected to be made on October 9, with 32 weeks given for the design stage and then 52 weeks for construction.

A report, which will be presented at the board, said: “The aim of the project is to provide high quality new build housing for social rent from the council to meet housing need.

“This contract is to appoint a suitable and experienced contractor to carry out the design and construction of 39 new build homes for rent from the council at Auchengreoch Road, Johnstone.

“The project will provide a good opportunity to secure local community benefits such as employability, supply chain development and community engagement for the duration of the contract.”

Councillor John Hood, whose ward cov e r s Auchengreoch Road, said he was pleased to see the development of more council housing in the area.

He said: “Hopefully the contract will be approved at the finance board.

“Housing for social rent is something we are always glad to see being built and now the council has identified a contractor, we are that one step closer to seeing more of that in Johnstone.

“Affordable housing that meets the needs of Johnstone residents is so important.”