INSIDE LOOKING OUT
In this InFocus section we report on news involving suppliers of products and services to the housing sector.
If we have contact details in our Featured Websites (FW) section for any of the organisations featured, we include a hyper-link at the end of the article.
That link will also access details of any associated feature articles in our Spotlight section.
ENLIGHT Procedure Manual Helps Warwick DC Deal With Increased Pressures for Housing Advice
Expert in Averting Mortgage Repossessions Authors On-line Guidance
Fabrick Covers More By Changing To 1st Touch Mobile
Health & Safety Knowledge 'Standard' Map Launched by First Adapt and UK Housing
Inaugural Meeting of the NHMF Contractor Forum
Joint Venture Company Formed to Deliver a Repairs Service
Latest Edition of Campbell Tickell's Newsletter Now Available
Michael Guest Appointed to Support New Tenant Panel at Housing Solutions
Sustainable Homes: February and March Events Programme
Inaugural Meeting of the NHMF Contractor Forum
May 2012
A cross section of some 22 social housing maintenance contractors recently met for the inaugural meeting of the Contractor Forum.
Established for contractors working on social housing with the goal of creating more alignment between contractors, clients and subcontractors, the Forum will work with the National Housing Maintenance Forum (NHMF) in promoting good practice in the procurement and management of repairs.
Membership is open to any contractor working in the sector. The initial membership includes a good cross-section of large, medium and smaller sized contractors and specialist sub-contractors.
The Forum will be chaired by Paul Reader from Mitie, with Neil Watts of Breyer as deputy chair, and Daniel Leckey of Morrison as secretary. It will be serviced by M3.
Topics tabled for future discussion included:
- Producing a procurement guide aimed at reducing some of the costs of tendering for both contractor and client, whilst promoting effective competition.
- Providing direction for market development: price per property is being used but could the industry develop this further?
- Establishing an industry standard for the handling of TUPE at contract handover.
- Establish consistent standards of best practice.
- Assisting with training to improve how the M3 NHF Schedule of rates is used and to reduce differences in the way the definitions are interpreted.
The next meeting will be held on 20th June and hosted by CLC Contractors in Loughborough, where a number of the above issues will be further developed. Any contractors interested in joining the forum should register via the NHMF website at www.nhmf.co.uk.
The NHMF is run by maintenance managers from housing associations and councils throughout the UK and is serviced by M3.
The chair of the NHMF, Paul Wenham of Southern Housing Group, welcomed the formation of a Contractor Forum, and looked forward to working with them in developing training and good practice publications and new approaches to the procurement and management of the repairs service that is so important to residents.
FW - M3
ENLIGHT Procedure Manual Helps Warwick DC Deal With Increased Pressures for Housing Advice
April 2012
There is a perception that small district councils like Warwick do not have a homelessness problem. However, in the past three years, the numbers of people seeking advice have increased by a massive 40% and resources are not available to deal with the increase. What's more, affordability is a major issue for those who find themselves in a housing crisis situation.
It's a complex business offering housing advice. However experienced advisers are, they need the right information, readily available, to provide the optimum service.
Destin Solutions came to Warwick District Council's attention during a support visit from the Department of Communities and Local Government's specialist homelessness advisers. Warwick DC invited Destin to demonstrate examples of their work and were particularly impressed with the range of ENLIGHT On-line Procedure Manuals.
The concept behind ENLIGHT is that all the strands of information that housing advisers need is brought into one place, and adapted so that it is quick and easy to navigate around. Warwick DC's ENLIGHT Manual was constructed around a core of nationally-relevant material. Case law resources are incorporated - authored by eminent housing lawyer Jan Luba QC, who works in partnership with Destin.
Around this core, Destin built a full procedure manual, reflecting the options that are available locally in the Warwick district, and the way that the service is delivered there. Advisers can quickly find topics that guide them when interviewing customers in a range of different circumstances - such as domestic abuse, mortgage arrears or notices to quit in the private sector.
A key aspect is that the Manual is hosted over the web, and is constantly maintained for Warwick DC, as things change both nationally and locally.
FW - Destin Solutions
Michael Guest Appointed to Support New Tenant Panel at Housing Solutions
April 2012
April 2012
Michael Guest has been appointed to advise and support the newly formed Tenant Panel at Maidenhead based Provider, Housing Solutions.
The Panel will be undertaking programmes of scrutiny of their landlord as a key part of co-regulatory arrangements.
Michael Guest will support the identification of skills and knowledge that panel members possess, what further development of these is required and to provide capacity building to develop the panel into an effective team.
Advise and support will also be given on policy and practice matters as the panel begins its work.
Joint Venture Company Formed to Deliver a Repairs Service
April 2012
Willmott Dixon Partnerships has created an innovative joint venture company with affordable housing provider Acis Group to deliver a repairs service to 5,500 homes in South Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.
The Limited Liability Partnership called Galatia is responsible for planned works, gas inspections, repairs and voids maintenance and could be a pioneer for future outsourcing models with housing providers. The new company has a five year contract, extendable for another five years, worth £25 million.
Willmott Dixon Partnerships will be investing significantly in systems and technology in the company to ensure an efficient, high quality service is delivered for Acis' residents. It's part of a wider commitment that includes sustained programmes of training and development for staff and community involvement.
By carrying out several services within the LLP, combined with additional investment in staff training and systems, Willmott Dixon Partnerships and Acis aim to enhance overall satisfaction levels among residents.
The contract starts in May with the focus on Acis properties primarily in the Sheffield and Gainsborough areas.
Expert in Averting Mortgage Repossessions Authors On-line Guidance
March 2012
Latest figures from the Council of Mortgage Lenders show the number of homes taken into possession in 2011 was 36,200. Although this was less than original predictions, the cost of dealing with the aftermath, both in terms of support in finding alternative housing, and in emotional terms, is significant.
It is estimated that each household accepted as homeless by their local authority costs the public purse an average of £16,000. Even if 1% of these repossessions could reasonably have been averted, this could potentially be saving the country around £6 million. The human cost is immeasurable.
Local authorities have a statutory duty to ensure that information and advice to prevent homelessness is available. Experienced trainer Ben Reeve-Lewis has joined forces with Destin Solutions Ltd to create a valuable on-line guidance manual for Housing Options services, to support them in the delivery of this important duty.
The manual focuses on ways to negotiate with lenders successfully, plus strategies for dealing with cases that have progressed as far as court action.
Designed to be quick and easy to navigate around, the Manual gives advisers the confidence they need to provide a robust defence of the client's home, where this is possible and practical.
There are many things a lender can do as an alternative to repossession but the adviser has to know what they are in order to save the home. The guide provides negotiation tools for no fewer than 14 alternatives to repossession that a lender can offer. There are comprehensive template letters, and many pre-written court form templates, in line with county court procedures.
There is also a full explanation of what courts can be asked to do in order to avoid repossession.
FW - Destin Solutions
Latest Edition of Campbell Tickell's Newsletter Now Available
March 2012
The latest issue of Campbell Tickell's newsletter 'Brief' is now available and it can be accessed via clicking here.
In the lead article, Ziggy Crawford, Chief Executive of Barnsbury Housing Association, highlights the challenges for smaller housing association in the face of the Regulator's focus on 'value for money'.
The newsletter also features items on the 'Rochdale Mutual', the economic case for social housing, resident involvement and welfare reform.
FW - Campbell Tickell
Health & Safety Knowledge 'Standard' Map Launched by First Adapt and UK Housing
February 2012
Bassetlaw District Council (DC) is the latest organisation to take the decision to implement First Adapt's Health & Safety Knowledge Map.
First Adapt have also collaborated with UK Housing to develop a 'standard' Health & Safety Knowledge Map. This will appeal to organisations looking for a competitive solution to the issue of keeping policies and procedures up to date and in one place.
The 'standard' Map is available as an on line service. All core information relating to Health & Safety is held centrally and updated to reflect the latest guidelines and regulation. Advice on Health & Safety issues is also available via a sector expert.
For further details and to take a tour of a demo standard Knowledge Map, click HERE.
FW - First Adapt Ltd
Sustainable Homes: February and March Events Programme
February 2012
09/02/2012 Passivhaus training
20/02/2012 Reducing emissions from existing homes and SHIFT awards
24/02/2012 How to build to the code for sustainable homes cost effectively
06/03/2012 Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor Training
14/03/2012 Understanding Housing Quality Indicators
Fabrick Covers More By Changing To 1st Touch Mobile
February 2012
Fabrick Housing Group has changed its mobile systems supplier to 1st Touch as part of an expansion of PDA based technology usage throughout the organisation.
The Group, made up of parent company Fabrick and partner companies Erimus Housing and Tees Valley Housing, provides homes for rent and affordable home ownership across an area spanning North Tyneside to York.
While Erimus Housing owns and manages more than 10,000 properties and Tees Valley Housing has around 4,000, the majority of the stock is located in and around Teesside.
The partner companies in the group, which first engaged with mobile systems in a limited capacity four years ago, will now use 1st Touch software in both its responsive repairs and gas servicing operations.
The Group is also actively considering rolling out 1st Touch for use by its voids operatives, housing officers, estate managers and those working in its supported housing team.
Initial annual savings, obtained in the first phase of the move to 1st Touch, are expected to be in the region of £300,000.
The main drivers behind the decision to go with 1st Touch were the system's ability to encompass all the business demands that the chosen technology solution needed to fulfil, together with the software's ability to integrate seamlessly with Fabrick's existing Aareon QL Housing Management system.
1st Touch is an existing partner of Aareon, which has also helped streamline the working relationships between those involved in managing the installation process. Fabrick was also impressed by the ability of 1st Touch to work effectively in geographically poor signal areas through its unique use of the latest Smart Airtime technology.
FW - 1stTouch
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