Solutions in Development
What's on the Horizon from Consortium Procurement?
The Northern Housing Consortium is committed to providing compliant, innovative and relevant procurement solutions to benefit both our Members and their customers. In order to do this it is important that we consult at every stage of our solution development process. This is particularly critical in the formative stages, where we look to our Members to guide us in the identification and prioritisation of new solutions.
We have developed a list of potential new solutions that have been identified by Members as being areas that could benefit from service improvement and efficiency gains. Consortium Procurement is currently working on developing these new solutions which will soon be offered to Northern Housing Consortium members.
Adaptations
With the changing demographic profile across the UK, providing solutions that can improve the quality of life in tenant's homes is a priority for our Members. Our Adaptations solutions will provide a number of options allowing Members to use the supply chain framework and benefit from the reduced costs of equipment, whilst giving them flexibility on the installation and maintenance elements. We are currently working on solutions in the following areas:
Bathroom Adaptations
- Supply and Installation
- Supply Only
- Install Only
Stair lifts
- Supply and Installation
- Supply and Installation + Maintenance
- Maintenance Only
Our Adaptations solution will be in place by Spring 2008.
Facilities Management
Consortium procurement is looking at developing the following facilities management-based solutions:
Fire Alarms & Emergency Lighting
Our aim is to establish effective relationships with approved partner organisations to support the management (provision and maintenance) of Fire Alarm, Emergency Lighting and Fire Equipment systems by working with those partners to:
- Minimise reactive repairs
- Improve reliability
- Generate efficiency gains
- Ensure legislative compliance
- Reduce equipment replacement timescales
Grounds Maintenance
Supporting members in their maintenance of open spaces. It is envisaged that this solution will offer a number of areas that members will be able to access, including:
- Grass cutting, highway verges and hedgerows
- Trees
- Communal and individual properties
- Recreation ground maintenance
- Cemetery/crematorium grounds maintenance
Lift Services
The maintenance, repairs and modernisation of passenger, goods and service lifts. This solution is intended to provide quality service from approved contractors, increasing reliability and value. Areas that may be covered in this solution include:
- Maintenance
- Servicing
- Emergency repairs
- Lift modernisation
- Reduced response times
Cleaning Services
Communal (block), individual property and office cleaning services. The Consortium aims to provide a framework to allow members to procure a host of cleaning services using approved, accredited contractors experienced in working to national standards. This solution may include additional areas such as window cleaning and specialist cleaning services.
Electrical Testing
A variety of electrical testing services will be available to member organisations. These will be aimed at ensuring members comply with their regulatory requirements, and provide a safe environment for staff and customers. These may include:
- Portable Appliance Testing (PAT)
- Electrical Inspection and Testing of buildings
- Inspection and Testing of Street Lighting Installations (electrical and structural)
- Route tracing and plotting of underground cables and fault location
- Advice and support on relevant legislation
Asbestos Removal
A solution to provide safe management of asbestos issues. This solution may contain a number key areas including:
- Advice and guidance on the management of asbestos and health risks Asbestos removal services
- Advice for tenants
- Services for void and occupied properties
Influencing Future Solution Development
All of our solutions are mandated by our membership, and we value the support and interaction of our members very highly. If you wish to find out more about any of the developing solutions detailed above, or if you wish to find out if Consortium Procurement can develop a new solution to meet your needs, please contact the Business Development Team on: 0191 566 1000 or email: solutions@consortiumprocurement.org.uk