Facilities provider, MITIE, has won a £6m contract with Suffolk CC to improve 730 of its buildings. The four-year contract will see MITIE redecorate and repair 354 schools, 81 offices, 62 libraries, 38 fire stations, and 199 other buildings. MITIE will also carry out work on Chantry High School in Ipswich, which is home to one of its eight skills centres, where pupils can develop skills in carpentry, decorating and brick-laying, while working towards a nationally-recognised qualification. Bill Smith, design and maintenance manager for Suffolk CC, said: ‘MITIE is employing apprentices on this contract who recently benefited from the skill centre's facilities. ‘We were particularly keen to see locally-based staff used on our contracts, and this is a real demonstration of MITIE's commitment to the community.' Mark Reeves, MITIE's commercial manager for the contract, said: ‘We are looking forward to helping the council maintain its high standards by making a difference to the appearance of these buildings.'