Local businesses have signed up to a 'Let’s Go Green Together' initiative, organised by Sandwell Homes, which manages the borough’s 30,000 council homes.

Purchasing bosses at the company are urging their suppliers to go green and achieve internationally recognised environmental standards.

Representatives from 36 suppliers attended the conference held at Sandwell Road Depot in West Bromwich as part of World Environment Day celebrations.

Sessions led by environmental consultants Andrew Fletcher of Environmental Solutions and John Sharpe of Bates Wood explained the framework firms need to put in place to gain accreditation.

There is also an extensive package of advice and support on offer from Sandwell Homes and potential financial support from the West Midlands Centre for Constructing Excellence.

Smaller companies can opt to work towards British Standard 8555, with larger ones aiming for ISO 14001, both are recognised quality standards designed to improve a company’s environmental performance and reduce its impact on the local community.

Sandwell Homes’ in-house purchasing team has already adopted its own environmentally friendly procurement strategy and management system that includes a range of practical measures to reduce the impact delivering their services has on the environment.

These include:

• a dedicated purchasing website and on-line tender calendar showing tenders coming up for renewal with their approximate value

• emailing of purchase orders

• electronic reverse auctions – where suppliers reduce their quotations for the tenders on offer

Purchasing manager for Sandwell Homes Bob Nally  (corr) said: “We have already achieved our own ISO 14001 international environmental standard. By taking the lead, we hope our suppliers will join forces with us.

“Resulting advantages include reducing costs, providing added value to a business and giving an edge over competitors

This is the second year Sandwell Homes has run the Let’s Go Green Together project, last year 22 companies took up the challenge and are working towards or have gained ISO 14001 or BS 8555 accreditation.

The finishing touches have been put to three high-rise blocks in Sandwell this month, with the completion of a major refurbishment under the Decent Homes programme.

The blocks, namely Thompson Gardens in Smethwick, and Astbury Court and Lawrence Court in Oldbury, have benefited from improvements including new windows, re-cladding to external walls, redecorated communal areas, a new front entrance, repairs to brickwork and even landscaping to surrounding areas.

At a cost of approx £10.5m the refurbishments will mean improved living conditions to customers living in the 185 homes within the three blocks, particularly with the upgrading of doors and vents to meet fire regulations and new double-glazing to improve heat retention. Landscaping will also give the blocks’ surrounding environment a much-needed boost, making life for residents there more desirable in the process.

Sandwell Homes, the organisation responsible for managing 30,000 homes on behalf of Sandwell Council, has undertaken the refurbishment in partnership with Sandwell MBC’s Urban Design, Connaught Partnerships Ltd, Lovell Partnerships, Thomas Vale Construction, and Rider Levett Bucknall who are supported by Peter Brett Associates and BM3 Architecture.

Mrs Day is a happy tenant at Astbury Court, she said:

“I am really satisfied with the work that has been carried out under the Decent Homes programme. Astbury Court has been completely transformed and now looks really nice.

“Although we’re happy that the scaffolding has come down I must admit we were sad to see the workmen go, who were all really professional, friendly people.”

Sandwell Homes is helping to transform the borough’s neighbourhoods with £15 million worth of environmental improvements being made under the Decent Homes programme.

Whilst the borough’s Decent Homes Partnership has been rolling out a programme to bring the council’s housing stock into the 21st Century, a separate stream of environmental work has seen measures being implemented to tackle anti-social behaviour, improve health and safety, and even boost the visual appeal of infrastructure across estates.

The work is being undertaken as a direct response to tenant concerns about their local areas and how these can be improved. Sandwell Homes has been actively engaging with housing service panels and tenants/residents association members to identify the best ways of improving the safety and general condition of the borough’s streets.

Tudor Evans, a project officer for Sandwell Homes, has overseen many of the improvements made since the project’s inception in 2005. He said:

“Ensuring paths are free of trip hazards, providing security lighting to reduce resident anxiety about anti-social behaviour, and even the demolition of sheds and garages to improve the environment are just some of the initiatives we have been able to undertake as part of this environmental aspect of the Decent Homes programme.

“We hope that by actively engaging with tenants and residents we can make real improvements not just to their homes, but to their surrounding neighbourhoods as well.”

Sandwell Homes are working in conjunction with its construction partners Wates Living Space, Connaught Partnerships Ltd and Taylor Woodrow to deliver improvements over the course of a five-year programme.