Case Studies

East Devon District Council, based in East Devon, is located in the South West of England and is the South West Procurement Alliance’s (SWPA) valued Client. SWPA’s Appointed Company is Rand Associates, with offices in the north and south, they provide reliable and high quality consultancy services to the entirety of the UK.

The Retrofit & Decarbonisation (N9) Framework is the chosen procurement solution for East Devon District Council, utilising Rand Associates’ services through the Consultancy Services workstream of the framework. The project will therefore focus on housing retrofit and improving the energy efficiency, comfortability and safety of accommodation, and providing the residents with consistently high quality housing.

East Devon District Council and Rand Associates are working together to coordinate consultancy works needed to achieve the retrofit of approximately 140 properties through self-funded works. The majority of properties are in rural locations within East Devon. The call-off from the works can be completed via mini-competition from the Retrofit & Decarbonisation (N9) Framework as well.

This particular project is due for completion by the end of March 2026, and East Devon District Council are utilising Rand Associates to fully investigate and understand exactly what energy efficiency and retrofit works need to be carried out on these properties. Along with the project needing to be completed on time and within budget, Rand Associates will need to identify what required retrofit measures can be delivered within East Devon District Council’s remit and specifications.

East Devon District Council need to install retrofit measures to approximately 140 properties to bring them up to a high quality and energy efficient standard. With the majority of properties being based in rural locations, it is important to consider site access and the potential challenges this may present. The challenge for all of these properties across different locations is that they need to be refurbished, to improve their comfortability, safety, security and aesthetic. Additionally, the properties need to be retrofitted to become more energy efficient and carbon friendly.

Rand Associates will identify what retrofit measures are needed, and ensure they are installed. Rand Associates will need to acquire other local South West suppliers to complete the retrofit works, whilst they oversee the successful completion of the project. The project will utilise SWPA’s PAS 2035 (Domestic Building Audits & Heat Decarbonisation Plans) Lot from the Consultancy Workstream of SWPA’s Retrofit & Decarbonisation (N9) Framework.

Using this framework, means the works covered can vary from property to property, but will comprise of a dynamic range of retrofit elements, due to the framework’s flexibility and high quality procurement solutions.

The works will potentially cover the following:

• Heating upgrades (Air Source Heat Pumps or high-performance storage heaters.
• Solar PV.
• External wall insulation for example: cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation.
• Roof and loft space insulation, along with improving existing.
• Replacement of windows and external doors.
• Draught proofing.

As part of these planned works, some properties may require:

• Re-roofing.
• Strengthening of the roof structure prior to installing solar PV.
• External decoration including remedial rendering work.
• Upgrading the fire detection and alarms.
• Installation of Environmental sensors to monitor for damp and mould.

Consultancy and retrofit services supplied by Rand Associates will provide a retrofit advisor to carry out initial discussions with tenants, to provide them with an understanding of the work being proposed and gain their agreement. Retrofit assessors and designers will survey and assess all of the properties, to identify the works that are needed. The retrofit co-ordinators will ensure these works are completed successfully and carried out to a high standard, ensuring better energy efficiency within the accommodation.

The Results:

• 140 homes will be retrofitted to maintain a high quality of accommodation for residents and ensure they have a safe, secure, comfortable and healthy environment to live in.
• Resident engagement throughout the surveys and a community day, which increases local support.
• Thorough improvements to ensure the longevity of these rural communities and their homes.
• Multiple SMEs engaged throughout the supply chain.
• Homes will become safer and more secure, with upgraded fire safety measures.
• Homes will ensure the wellbeing and health of its occupants, with sensors fitted to detect damp and mould.
• 140 homes will be retrofitted, for people to live in more energy efficient and environmentally friendly homes.

Benefits Delivered:

• Access to pre-approved suppliers via stringent and reliable framework.
• Fully compliant routes.
• Community Engagement in the South West.
• Retrofit works increase the energy efficiency of many properties, resulting in less environmental impact and a decrease in utility bills.
• SME-friendly framework structure.
• Gold Standard verification and oversight.
• With social value in mind, the provision of a high standard housing to residents in Devon, which are safe, secure, comfortable, and improve their wellbeing.
• To improve the surroundings and environment for the tenants, bringing their needs and suggestions to fruition, implemented through community engagement

“We are delighted to be entering into this consultancy agreement with RAND associates to deliver much needed retrofit works to 140 of our properties. Not only will this improve the overall condition and appearance of our properties, it will provide both improved thermal comfort and energy bill savings to our tenants, while also minimizing the potential for damp and mould. Rand Associates have a strong history of delivering similar works to a high standard and we have the upmost confidence in them to provide excellent consultancy support for the duration of this project.”

– Ollie Tollerfield, East Devon District Council’s Technical Support Officer.

To find out more about how the South West Procurement Alliance (SWPA) can support your next project, contact the team. To learn more about East Devon District Council and Rand Associates, use these links.