27 September 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal

Wakefield Council has appointed built asset consultancy firm Arcadis to deliver its property and facilities services.

The deal is worth an expected £3 million per year over seven years, with the option of a three-year extension. 

Arcadis is a part of Wakefield Council’s strategic partnership team to deliver its property and facilities management services. It will work alongside Engie, the council’s recently appointed external partner to deliver its property and facilities services. It will also deliver project and professional services.

Wakefield sought a partnership “which will help secure jobs for local people and enable staff, customers and services to benefit from private sector expertise and investment”. Arcadis will be supporting the council in its drive to generate up to £27 million in savings this year.

It is hoped the appointment will help support economic growth in the area as well as helping the Council to improve infrastructure, create new jobs for the people of Wakefield, according to Arcadis.

Bill Green, Arcadis head of strategic partnerships, said: “Councils are under more pressure than ever before to deliver better outcomes using fewer resources, and that looks set to continue.

“With less money available, public sector organisations are turning to long term partners to optimise the benefits from combining public and private sector capabilities.”