They can fix it: considerate builders make national award shortlist

ACS, a locally based building firm, has been shortlisted in partnership with Three Rivers District Council for a Considerate Constructors Award. The nomination places the building contractor nationally within the top 7.5% of over 10,000 registered sites in the country.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) independently examines how the design team and building contractors undertake their work and whether they go beyond meeting basic legal building safety requirements. The scheme assesses, among other elements, whether the project team are considerate and respectful to local people, are environmentally and security conscious, maintain cleanliness, have good planning and keep people informed.

Maple Cross based ACS undertake building works in South Hertfordshire for Three Rivers District Council and other clients and have recently completed the first phase of work on all the Council's sheltered housing schemes to ensure they achieve compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act's accessibility requirements. The contract was surveyed, designed, specified and project managed by Three Rivers District Council's in-house Property and Facilities Management Surveying Department.

ACS was additionally a CCS award winner alongside Three Rivers District Council in 2003/04 for its refurbishment work at the District Council's Tanners Wood Court sheltered housing development for the elderly.

All contractors employed by Three Rivers District Council are encouraged to register each building site with the Considerate Constructors scheme. This particular contract was overseen by one of the Council's Project Building Surveyors, James Morgan, with the CCS's standards in mind.

Three Rivers' deputy leader and housing portfolio holder Matthew Bedford said:

"Providing safe, high quality building works is not the whole story. Part of good customer services involves consideration to local residents while undertaking works. We are delighted to support all our contractors in seeking membership of this scheme and wish ACS all the best for the April awards."

Winners of the Awards for 2005 will be announced by the Considerate Constructors Scheme at the beginning of April.