Ensuring Fire Safety Compliance with Wealden District Council

Wealden District Council approached us as they required a specialist provider to deliver their Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs) and associated fire consultancy services. With the evolving responsibilities under our fire safety regulations, they needed to award a long-term partner through a procurement route that was both quick and compliant.  

They chose SEC because of the efficiencies we provide our Members – including a streamlined route to market with hands-on procurement support for their team.  

The Solution 

First we spent some time with Wealden and their team to understand their requirements and advise on procurement timescales and routes to market. Following this call we facilitated meetings between them and DDS International before delivering a Direct Award through our Compliance Consultancy Framework.  

They also used us to draw up the final contract for them which took strain off their internal team at key stages.  

Under the contract, DDS International will provide: 

• Annual FRAs completed by trained and competent assessors accredited under the Fire Risk Assessors Competency Council Framework and the BAFESP205 Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment scheme
• Fire safety advice and professional guidance
• Training for Council staff
• A digital system to help the Council to track actions, monitor compliance, and maintain accurate records 

We hear from Wealden District Council 

“Using the fire safety consultancy framework to go into contract with DDS International was refreshingly straightforward.  

I was able to discuss my requirements directly with the SEC team and explain what I wanted to achieve. The contract is for Fire Safety Consultants who can undertake yearly FRAs across our housing stock, provide advice and training to all of our staff, as well as giving us use of their system which helps us keep track of works that need undertaking and what we need to do to comply with regulations.  

I also engaged with SEC to draw up the contract which took an immense pressure and stress off, with having a point of contact who helped implement changes required by my Council. Everyone I dealt with was really helpful and the turnaround time was impressive to have a signed contract in hand.  

Thank you for your hard work and professionalism!” 

– Roxanne Roberts, Property Services Team Leader, Wealden District Council 

We hear from DDS International 

“We were delighted to be awarded our first contract with Wealden District Council through the SEC Compliance Consultancy framework. The entire process was extremely simple, straightforward, and easy to manage from start to finish. 

This three-year contract allows us to deliver comprehensive Fire Safety Consultancy and Fire Risk Assessment services, ensuring full compliance with the Fire Safety Order (2005), Fire Safety Act 2021, and Fire Safety England Regulations 2022. All our assessments are conducted by trained, competent professionals accredited under the Fire Risk Assessors Competency Council Framework and BAFESP205 Life Safety Fire Risk Assessment scheme. 

The SEC framework made what could have been a complex procurement process remarkably streamlined, and we're excited to bring our expertise to support Wealden District Council's fire safety requirements over the coming years.” 

– Paul Smith, Director of Safety, DDS International 

The Procurement Outcomes  

By utilising our framework Wealden District Council benefited from:  

• A fully compliant procurement and contract award
• Reduced internal pressure
• Hands on procurement support and advice across every stage
• Contract drafting support  

We’re proud of the part we played in awarding this contract between Wealden and DDS International. And, we’re looking forward to checking in as the contract progresses.  

Framework used: Compliance Consultancy Framework (Lot 5: Fire Consultancy) 

SEC Member: Wealden District Council  

Supplier: DDS International 

Contract term: 3 Years

Have a similar project you’d like to procure? Learn more about the framework - Fire consultancy | South East Consortium 

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