LSH partners with strategic outsourcing firm, Mitie to provide a diverse range of facilities and property management services across the Council’s 1000+ key property interests, ranging from building services engineering and capital projects to estates and energy management.

As part of the partnership, the team has committed to adding value to the Council’s strategic priorities by:

• Improving Essex via the creation of employment opportunities, partnerships with ethical organisations and improvements to the local area
• Developing an estate management strategies and service delivery models to ensure that Essex County Council’s built estate is fit for future purpose
• Promoting the efficient, sustainable use of resources and assist Essex to reduce its impact on climate change
• Using technology to manage services more efficiently and improve customer satisfaction levels

One of the community projects citied within the team’s award submission was the Berechurch Family Centre, where 25 Mitie volunteers dedicated over 300 hours of their time to the design and creation of a sensory garden for the patrons of the service. Other examples include supporting beach cleans, the provision of apprenticeship schemes and offering mock interviews.

In their assessment, the RICS jury remarked on the “inspirational partnership” that demonstrates how “public and private organisations can join forces for the greater good and provide real social benefit to the community” and which go “above and beyond the commercial services being met and standard KPIs being achieved.” The jury also commented on how “integrating individuals with learning difficulties into the work force and exposing them to real workplace tasks, provides these individuals with the confidence and enjoyment that is profound and will impact their lives well beyond the confines of the workplace.”

David Evans, Head of Property at Essex County Council, said:

“Essex County Council recognises the value LSH brings to the provision of estates-based services to the people of Essex through the support and advice offered to the Council.

“It’s tremendous that the work LSH undertake on our behalf has been recognised through this award and we look forward to the national final.”

Richard O’Connell, Operations Director at LSH, commented:

“The One FM partnership with Essex County Council is a prime example of how the built environment can have a direct positive, social and environmental impact on society and we’re extremely proud to be part of the team responsible for delivering it.”

Alan Maunder Essex County Council Partnership Director at Mitie, added:

“LSH has been intrinsically linked with Mitie since the contract award in 2011 and has helped to forge what is a best in class partnership with Essex County Council. Richard O’Connell sits on the partnership SMT (Senior Management Team) advising on each and every applicable aspect of the partnership strategy, thus insuring a true symbiotic environment in which all parties benefit, not simply the partnership members but the public purse, environment and the tax payers of Essex alike. This award is testimony to a totally aligned set of values and one that Mitie, LSH and ECC are exceptionally proud of.”

The award was announced as part of a series of digital ceremonies held across eight UK regions during the first week of June, with the shortlisted entries being put through to the national final in September.