The four firms have clinched places on the key lot covering jobs worth more than £500,000 a year. On present spending forecasts this is worth up to £150m a year.

From the outset, Birmingam City Council will lead the framework with other West Midlands councils expected to sign up as the agreement becomes established.

Thomas Vale Construction has become the only incumbent contractor to be retained on the new Construction West Midlands Framework. It replaces the previous Birmingham Construction Partnership which had places for GF Tomlinson, Thomas Vale and Wates Group.

The four-year framework, which has the potential to be extended to eight years, has an estimated value of £3bn and is available to all public sector bodies within the West Midlands region.

As the framework develops, this work plan will plug into the City’s ambitious £10bn development masterplan, published in September.

Paul Smith, Chief Executive of Morgan Sindall Group, said: “This is a major framework and we are delighted that two of the group’s divisions have secured positions on it.

“Morgan Sindall and Lovell working together as Community Solutions West Midlands is a further example of the complementary nature of our divisions’ capabilities and the benefit this brings to our Group.”

Tony Hyde, Group Managing Director said: “For Thomas Vale, no words can describe the sheer pride that we feel securing our place on the Constructing West Midlands Framework.

“These kind of long-term frameworks allow businesses to grow and sustain an excellent workforce, while sharing best practice with principal contractors in the industry.

“It allows for training, development, employment and integration with stakeholders. Today’s Birmingham is about much more than just ‘building’, it’s about people and community cohesion.”

Up to 16 contractors are believed to have tendered for places with high profile names including Kier and Wates missing out.