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 TWO Stornoway firms have won sub-contracts for maintenance of North of Scotland Water Authority vehicles and plant.
Lex Leasing, who took over the water authority's maintenance and vehicle leasing contract this week, have sub contracted work in the Lewis and Harris area to Stornoway Engineering Services Ltd. and Riddell Auto Repairs.
Stornoway Engineering Services Ltd. are undertaking maintenance of water authority tankers and plant, while Riddell Auto Repairs are to do the non-HGV vehicle work.
The award secures six existing jobs at Stornoway Engineering Services Ltd. which also this week won the servicing contract for Mitchell and Struthers, the Council's new grounds maintenance contractors.
Riddell Auto repairs, meanwhile, have been working for Lex Leasing for the past two years maintaining Hydro-Electric's Lex leased vehicles. The company employs two mechanics and an apprentice and say they may now have to take on another mechanic to cope with all their work.
Yesterday at the time of going to Press, NOSWA were unable to confirm which firms had been sub contracted to carry out maintenance in the Uists and Barra.
Comhairle nan Eilean, who lost out on the water authority contract for the Western Isles to Lex Leasing last month, were asked to quote for the sub contract but was unsuccessful.
The two jobs reported earlier to be threatened by the loss of the work have, however, been saved through re-deployment and by the DSO winning a road surface dressing contract and other new work.
The Council were able to quote for the sub contract maintenance as local authorities in the NOSWA area were advised it would be legal for them to work for Lex Leasing because the company are acting as an agent for a public body.
Comhairle nan Eilean, in line with the other local authorities, has now withdrawn its fuel supply service to the water authority, a fringe benefit under the old working arrangements.
The North of Scotland Water Authority operates a fleet of around 50 vehicles in the Western Isles.
Original article Stornoway Gazette Apr 05 1997.
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