A demonstration of how quickly a high-quality new kitchen can be installed was a highlight of The Gold Approach: Innovation in Procurement Conference, held towards the end of November in London.
The conference was aimed at professionals responsible for the planning and delivery of housing procurement and maintenance services. The installation of the kitchen was a showcase of the procurement work of Gold Award winners and regeneration partnership, Fusion 21, whose skills training programme helps unemployed people gain training and jobs in the construction industry.
Their construction skills training programme means Fusion 21 has its own direct supply of labour, to match its works programme. Two Fusion 21 Skills Programme trainees assisted in building the new kitchen in just five hours, illustrating the reality and importance of both a speedy and efficient maintenance operation.
The kitchen was an example of a kitchen specifically made for affordable housing by Rixonway Kitchen suppliers. The kitchens are designed for the individual, built offsite, and then delivered to the property - meaning easy installation with minimal disruption to the resident.
Launched in June 2005, the Gold Award competition is open to housing associations able to demonstrate outstanding performance in key areas of business. The award aims to identify and share excellence and raise operational standards for the benefit of residents across the sector.
Fusion21 was one of two winners in the Gold Award for Innovation and Procurement. The other winner was Advantage South West. Procurement was chosen as a theme for the fist annual Gold Award, to reflect both the Housing Corporation's and Government's priorities in the procurement and efficiency agendas.
Fusion21 is a regeneration partnership, which was established with the aim of revolutionising the construction supply chain by pioneering a radical approach to procuring both materials and labour. It uses the joint purchasing power of its partner housing associations to manage the supply chain and drive down costs.
A Local Vision for Housing Seminar
9 January 2007: London
10 January 2007: Manchester
11 January: Solihull
12 January 2007: Birmingham
16 January 2007: York
Housing Quality Network
Tel: 01723 350099
Rent Arrears Training Course
12 January 2007: Birmingham
19 January 2007: Manchester
26 January 2007: London
Housing Quality Network
Tel: 01723 350099
Supporting People Seminar
12 January 2007: London
16 January 2007: Solihull
17 January 2007: Manchester
Housing Quality Network
Tel: 01723 350099
Interchanges 07 Conference
17 January 2007: London
British Urban Regeneration Association
Tel: 020 7539 4030
NHMF Maintenance Conference & Exhibition
23-24 January 2007: Stratford upon Avon
National Housing Maintenance Forum
Tel: 020 8254 5580
Developing Choice-based Lettings: Policy and Practice Update for 2007
24 January 2007: Manchester
25 January 2007: London
30 January 2007: Birmingham
31 January 2007: York
Housing Quality Network
Tel: 01723 350099
Chairs Conference
6 January 2007: Carnoustie Hotel
Scottish Federation of Housing Associations
Tel: 0141 567 6229
Development, Management and Delivery of Local Agreements (2-day course)
30-31 January 2007: Chester
Renewal Academy
Tel: 020 7033 2629
Long-term Regeneration through Re-branding Conference
31 January 2007: London
British Urban Regeneration Association
Tel: 020 7539 4030
Please visit the Forthcoming Events section of this website for a comprehensive listing of events.
Homelessness Law: Introductory
8-9 January 2007: London
Immigration, Asylum and Housing Rights: Update
10 January 2007: Manchester
Key Housing Aid & Advice: Part A
10-11 & 17-18 January 2007: London
Security of Tenure: Advanced
12 January 2007: London
Housing Possession Hearings: Practice & Procedure
15-16 January 2007: London
Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme
16 January 2007: London
Homelessness and Allocations Law: Advanced
16-17 January 2007: Manchester
Housing Benefit: Intermediate
17-18 January 2007: London
Key Housing Aid & Advice: Part A
17-18 & 24-25 January 2007: York
Housing Allocations under Part 6 Housing Act 1996 (2-hour briefing)
23 January 2007: London
Debt Advice
23 January 2007: London
Disrepair and Conditions: Inspecting a House
23-24 January 2007: London
Homelessness and Allocations Law: Advanced
24-25 January 2007: London
Young People, Housing & Homelessness
24-25 January 2007: Manchester
Drugs in Housing Settings: Legal Issues
25 January 2007: London
Family Resettlement and Tenancy Sustainment
26 January 2007: Manchester
Housing Law: Update
30 January 2007: Manchester
Prisoners' Housing Rights
30 January 2007: York
HMOs: Protecting Tenants under the Housing Act 2004
30 January 2007: London
Homelessness: Update
30 January 2007: London
Housing Cases in the County Court
30-31 January 2007: London
Tackling Antisocial Behaviour and Harassment
31 January 2007: Manchester
Assessing Vulnerability in Homeless People (2-hour briefing)
31 January 2007: London
Private Rented Sector: Harassment & Illegal Eviction
31 January 2007: London
For further details, call Shelter Training on 0207 490 6720 or visit there website at www.shelter.org.uk/training.
