New roof coverings and other repair work set to take place over the summer at two schools in Salford will cost the council more than half a million pounds.
Salford-based builder Schofield and Sons Limited has been awarded both of the contracts for the work at St Mary's CE and Hilton Lane primary schools.
Both schools were at risk of 'serious leaks' occurring which could result in closure as the roof coverings had reached the end of their economic lives.
READ MORE: Headteachers and parents 'crying out for help' as number of schools hit by Covid tops 100
As well as new roof coverings, St Mary's CE Primary School in Cadishead will also be getting skylights and upgraded insulation at the cost of £372,000.
Timber cladding and windows at Hilton Lane Primary School in Little Hulton have also deteriorated and will be replaced as part of the repairs, alongside ground works to improve drainage which has caused flooding at the site.
The full programme of work at the Madams Wood Road school, which will be completed over six weeks from July 26 to September 6, will cost £334,500.
Funding for both projects, which includes nearly £100,000 in professional fees and other costs, will come from the council's capital maintenance programme.
Salford council also renewed its existing contract for urgent repairs to its properties with three companies - Schofield and Sons, G Jones builders and MC Facilities Services - for another 12 months at the cost of £340,000.
It will expire in August 2022 when it reaches its maximum term of four years.
All three contracts were approved by councillors on Salford council's procurement board at a face-to-face meeting on Wednesday (June 23).
Labour councillor Jack Youd, who had previously called for Schofield and Sons to become an accredited Living Wage employer, praised the firm's progress.
The contractor confirmed that it pays all of its employees in excess of the Living Wage and has been exploring the accreditation certification process.
Thanking council officers and the contractor, Coun Youd told the procurement board that Schofield and Sons has now started the process of accreditation.
He said: "This is a really good success story because we're getting one more Living Wage Foundation accredited employer in the city.
"It also assists us as councillors and officers when it comes to the management of that Living Wage to ensure that the organisation is meeting the standards of the Living Wage Foundation rather than just being able to say that it is Living Wage without that oversight.
"I think it's very positive that they've listened to what we've had to say."
