Housing Scot Autumn 2018 - Distributed in The Times Scotland

HousingScot An independent publication from canongate.org

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Wheatley raising the standard

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Distributed with The Times Scotland 18 October 2018

CCG pioneering partnership

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Scotland Excel providing value

In association with CIH Scotland

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Bield rising to the challenge

Partnership created to transform social housing Sally Thomas, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing, and Stephen Good, chief executive of the Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, at the announcement of a partnership between the two organisations which aims to increase the affordability, sustainability, quality, and supply of social housing in Scotland.

It will include support for housing associations to use Building Information Management (BIM) to streamline their maintenance and asset management of existing homes, joint work to investigate the potential benefits of offsite construction to the social and affordable housing sector and co-design solutions to increase supply.

The partnership will also see the creation of a ‘Housing Innovation Community’ - a leadership and knowledge-sharing hub for the housing sector, focusing on emerging technologies, digital transformation and future housing types.

Housing crisis ‘not a short-term issue’ What can the Planning Bill do to deliver more affordable homes and better places?

BY SARAH BOYACK There is a housing crisis in Scotland.

In the past few years, housing has become unaffordable for many, while as a nation we are not building enough homes to meet need. This crisis affects all parts of the housing system.

There is a shortage of housing for social rent: a 2015 study by SFHA and partners found that, in order to meet outstanding need, 60,000 new homes for social rent were needed over the next 5 years.

In the private rented sector, high demand has seen rents rise by close to 20% between 2010 and 2017 at a

time when wages have been stagnant.

Finally, rising house prices and static incomes mean that for many young people and people on low to average incomes the housing ladder is broken meaning they cannot access the housing they need.

The housing crisis is not a shortterm issue – population projections show that the need for housing will only increase as people live longer and the number of single person households increase. The ageing population also has implications for the homes we need to build – they need to be suitable for older people and people with disabilities.

The current Scottish Government has responded to the housing crisis by setting a target to build 50,000 new affordable homes over the term of the current parliament, and has backed this with £3bn in funds. This is commendable. Longer term, however, we

need to think about reform to our land, planning and housing systems if we are to meet need and provide enough affordable homes.

The current Planning Bill was set in train when the Scottish Government set up an Independent Review of Planning in 2015. The review was set up to address the fact that Scotland isn’t building enough homes to meet need and demand.

SFHA consulted widely with housing associations – the principle providers of new build affordable housing before responding first to the Planning Review and then to the draft Planning Bill. A number of challenges emerged: l The cost and availability of land to develop for affordable housing; l Funding the infrastructure needed to support housing development, whether physical infrastructure, such as roads and utilities, or social infrastructure, such as schools;

l A weak link between projections of housing need and the land allocated for housing; and l Sites being allocated for housing, yet lying empty for years.

SFHA has actively lobbied and campaigned on these issues, both on our own and as part of an alliance of organisations working in the built environment; the Alliance for People and Places. The group works to create a planning system that is ambitious and holistic, and we recognise the positive role that quality economic development can play in creating a more equal society.

So, what can the Planning Bill do to deliver more affordable homes and better places?

SFHA is calling for a number of changes in the planning system that we believe would support this, including: l Clear guidance that requires robust measurement of housing need and

land allocated in plans to meet that need; l Housing targets to be set in the National Planning Framework (which sets out Scotland’s national development priorities) and in Strategic and Local Plans; l Provision for the transfer of land at existing use value where the housing is affordable housing to meet an identified shortfall; and l Land Value Capture: the provision of a mechanism to capture the uplift in land value when planning permission is granted for housing. This value would be used to fund social housing and infrastructure, rather than going to the land owner.

Sarah Boyack is Head of Public Affairs at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations www.sfha.co.uk

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HOUSINGSCOT

SHELTER

Say you want a revolution Inspired by the 1968 protests and Cathy Come Home, school children took to the Ochill Hills

BY WILLIAM PEAKIN Almost 50 years since they led their school in a sponsored walk to raise funds for a fledging homelessness charity, a group of former pupils from Dollar Academy have headed back to their old stomping ground for another fundraising mission.

The group, now in their 60s, returned to raise more funds for Shelter Scotland on its 50th anniversary. The sponsored walk they inaugurated continues to this day raising funds for a variety of charities; last time it was held it raised more than £54,000.

This year, members of the original organising committee and their family and friends led around 1,000 pupils on a 12-mile walk through the Ochil Hills. One of the co-founders who organised the first walk in 1969, Stuart Twaddell, said there was a time when

they thought they’d be ‘walking out the door’ rather than into the school’s history books.

“We were greatly inspired by all the student demonstrations we’d seen on television throughout 1968 and as we were cooped up in a boarding school we were frustrated that we couldn’t be part of it,” he said.

“Then we watched the documentary play Cathy Come Home and became even angrier at the social injustice of slum housing. We were getting into a fair bit of trouble and to divert our frustration our young housemaster suggested we ask permission to hold a sponsored walk to raise money for Shelter, which was just getting set-up in Scotland at the time.

“To our great surprise the rector agreed, and we spent a few months organising a route and raising money.

In the summer term of 1969, we led the whole school of about four hundred pupils 20 miles along public roads and raised £2,200 - which was a very significant sum in those days.”

This year, Dollar Academy is marking its bicentennial - making it the UK’s oldest co-educational day and boarding school. The walk set-up by the pupils

18 October 2018

Around 1,000 pupils took part in a 12-mile walk through the Ochil Hills

in 1969 ran every year for a while and then every two years raising funds for six charities on each occasion. This year Shelter Scotland will benefit once again, as well as six other beneficiaries chosen by the school’s charities’ committee; the Uphill Trust, Mary’s Meals, Alzheimer Scotland, My Name’5 Doddie, CHAS, and Seamab School.

“As Dollar Academy made the walk into a tradition we decided to come

back with some friends and family and take part once again,” said Stuart.

“It was a real honour to help lead the event and to help the school celebrate its 200th anniversary.”

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Thousands of people went on sponsored walks to raise funds to get Shelter Scotland up and running and we are grateful to each and every one of them. I’m not aware

Your chance to help

Donate here: uk.virginmoneygiving. com/team/DollarAcademyFPwalkers www.shelterscotland.com

Providing packs of household essentials to help people move on from homelessness, care and poverty.

Starter Packs Glasgow exists thanks to generous donations and the fundraising of loyal supporters Starter Packs Glasgow is a charity based in Govan working to alleviate poverty across the city. By providing packs of essential household goods to those moving into a new tenancy, often after homelessness, the organisation makes houses more homely which in turn helps people to sustain their tenancy.

It provides hundreds of packs annually, working closely with many housing associations and other organisations on a referrals basis to identify individuals, couples and families in need of support.

“We do this through the help and support of our local community, much-needed donations and the many staff and volunteers we’re lucky to work with,” said the manager Gavin Dunbar.

Each starter pack - ‘bedding’, ‘pots’, and ‘utility’ - is made up of the kind of things that many take for granted, but these basic items can really make a difference when people are starting out.

In addition to basic items, the organisation tries to provide little extras where it can such as shower gel

of any other walks that kept people out of trouble with their headteacher nor any that became a tradition, so Dollar Academy’s walk was certainly a special event.”

7 Harmony Row, Govan, G51 3BB

0141 440 1008 starterpacks.org.uk Providing essential household goods can help people sustain their tenancy and shampoo, dish drainers, cutlery separators, a bin and brush and shovel, as well as place mats and salt and pepper shakers.

While many of the items donated are second-hand, some are provided brand new, purchased from its Amazon wishlist or bought with the proceeds raised by two community shops, The Magpie’s Eye and The Magpie’s Nest.

Starter Packs Glasgow can only exist thanks to the generous donations and fundraising efforts of its loyal supporters. The organisation accepts clothing, household goods, linen, crockery, kitchenware, ornaments, curtains, bedding, soaps, jewellery, cushion covers and more.

Anything that does not go into starter packs is sold in one of two

shops. The shops were created to support Starter Packs’ work, providing much needed funding for Starter Packs, and as a way to give back to the local community, providing low-cost furniture, clothing and household goods, as well as vintage and retro bric-a-brac and handmade crafts, at an affordable price.

The organisation delivered 600 packs last year, has already distributed 950 this year supporting 1,200 people. Each pack also contains a voucher for the shops, providing recipients choice. The two shops bring in about 80% of Starter Packs Glasgow’s income, allowing it to be self-sustaining and continue its work.

To donate, visit starterpacks.org.uk/ index.php/donating/

HousingScot is an independent publication by Canongate Communications distributed in The Times Scotland. All rights reserved. Neither this publication or part of it may be stored, reproduced or transmitted, electronically, photocopied or recorded without prior permission of the Publisher. HousingScot is published and exclusively distributed in The Times Scotland. We verify information to the best of our ability but do not accept responsibility for any loss for reliance on any content published. If you wish to contact us, please include your full name and address with a contact telephone number.

Tontine, 20 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5NA / 0141 465 7640 / www.futurescot.com

> VOLUNTEER WITH US volunteer@starterpacks.org.uk

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25 Burleigh Street, Govan, G51 3LA

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FIBO UK

18 October 2018

WHEATLEY GROUP

Recognised for quality It’s not just the scale of its contribution to housing that distinguishes Wheatley

BY WILLIAM PEAKIN For the past two years, Wheatley Group has been confirmed as the UK’s biggest developer of social rented homes.* But it is not just the scale of its contribution to affordable housing; Wheatley has also been recognised for the quality of its homes, with some of its developments being hailed as the best in Scotland.

A development of 130 homes in Castlemilk by Glasgow Housing Association (GHA), Wheatley’s biggest social landlord, scooped the best development at the Herald Property Awards 2018, seeing off tough competition from some of the biggest names in housebuilding. It is the first time a Registered Social Landlord has won the best development category.

The £14.8m project in Dougrie Drive, which includes an amenity block of 44 homes designed for older tenants, was one of two developments by

GHA to win at the prestigious awards.

GHA and its partner Lowther Homes also came out on top in the Best Regeneration category for their development of 105 social and mid-market homes on the site of an old tram depot in Harvie Street, Govan.

In June at the Scottish Home Awards, GHA was the outright winner in the Large Affordable Development, again for its homes in Castlemilk, and then went on to win the coveted title of Housing Association of the Year in recognition of its new-build housing programme and the support services it provides to tenants and communities.

The awards recognise the quality of the design and energy-efficiency of the homes as well as the living spaces and the quality of the surrounding environment.

WHEATLEY’S AMBITIOUS new-build

programme has gathered real momentum in the past year with hundreds of new homes completed and extremely positive feedback from customers across all its developments.

From 2015 through to 2025, the programme will see a total of 7,500 affordable homes built, from Balloch

HOUSINGSCOT

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ernment’s more homes agenda and help address the chronic shortage of affordable homes in our communities,” said Martin Armstrong, Wheatley’s chief executive.

“It is fantastic to be recognised nationally for the quality of homes we are building right across central Scotland.

But, of course, it’s what our tenants say that really counts. I enjoy meeting some of the people who move into their homes and hearing about the life-changing difference a new house can make.”

RESIDENTS ARE FULL of praise for

Megan Linton with her neighbour Nicole Cleugh, and Nicole’s son Paulo, at their new homes in Barlanark and Dumbarton, through Glasgow, West Lothian and Edinburgh to North Berwick.

As well as homes for social rent.

Wheatley is also building homes for mid-market rent; an affordable option for people who do not have priority for social housing and who cannot afford to buy.

The programme is the realisation of Wheatley’s ambition to use its scale and capacity to play a part in addressing the acute shortage of affordable housing in Scotland and contribute to Scottish Government’s More Homes Scotland agenda.

“We are determined to use our scale at Wheatley to support Scottish Gov-

Martin Armstrong, Wheatley Group chief executive: “I enjoy hearing about the life-changing difference a new house can make.”

their new homes. “It’s absolutely fabulous,” said Agnes Campbell, who lives at Dougrie Court. “The flat is openplan, the heating is great and there’s always lots of sun coming through the full-length windows.”

Angela Coyle lives with her young family in a Dunedin Canmore home in Wallyford, East Lothian: “There’s so much space. I love our patio doors that open out onto the garden. There’s a community feel to the place.”

Megan Linton, 23, lives in a new Lowther Homes mid-market house in Barlanark, said: “The house is great – it’s so much more spacious than I had imagined.

Marilyn Cunningham moved into her GHA home in Govan after the house she raised her family in became too big: “I absolutely love my new house. Although it’s smaller, I still have space for the grandchildren to stay. The neighbours are fantastic too, really friendly.” *Inside Housing, July 2018 & July 2017. www.wheatley-group.com

Wall panels: the easy choice for social housing A cost-effective, low maintenance alternative to ceramic tiling

BY WILLIAM PEAKIN Previously known as Respatex, Fibo is the European market leader of high-quality bathroom, kitchen and wet room wall panels, used in Scottish social housing since 1981. Fibo panels are a cost-effective, low maintenance alternative to ceramic tiling for social housing, retirement homes and care homes, and the company recently became a commercial associate of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA).

The traditional approach for kitchen and bathrooms is ceramic tiles. But increasingly, the social housing market is looking elsewhere. Wall panels overcome issues associated with tiling – there’s no grouting to clean and replace and no mildew or mould growth. They’re also low maintenance and quicker and easier to fit.

Replacing the tiling in kitchens and bathrooms is often the most time-consuming, inconvenient task to perform – and it adds to costs because it involves subcontracting a tiler.

Removing old tiles nearly always damages the plaster and wall, adding another task to the project as the wall has to be made good before work can continue. Re-plastering means introducing another skilled worker – more cost – and adds delays as plaster needs

Fibo panels in all West Lothian owned bathrooms time to dry before the tiler can start.

This cost and inconvenience is removed with wall panels. Fibo panels, for example, can be fitted directly onto walls (without re-plastering), stud partitioning, or even existing tiles.

Once sealed, the system is watertight, with a 15-year guarantee. Installation is quick and easy - up to five times faster than traditional tiles - and doesn’t need specialist trades to fit.

The simple tongue-and-groove system means that contractors don’t need to sub-contract the job to tilers, saving further time and money. This is a key benefit when it comes to social housing refurbishment programmes.

Due to the speed and ease of fitting, with planning, residents can remain

“We have always found the product to be excellent ” Vince Nugent, South Lanarkshire Council

in their property overnight. This helps minimise disruption, a priority for any housing association.

What’s more, the perception of products associated with social housing (bland, uniform and budget) are completely reversed. Developments in panel design mean there’s now a wide range of high-quality textures and finishes so housing providers can offer residents a choice to suit their properties.

Having a say in the look of their living space gives residents a sense of ownership and investment in the property, building trust between tenants and contractors, easing any potential issues around access or communication. And once the project is complete, residents are much more likely to look after a living space they have helped design.

Fibo has long-standing relationships with a number of local authorities and housing associations in Scotland including North and South Lanarkshire Councils, West Lothian Council and Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership. The quick and easy installation process means the panels are ideal for large-scale wall coverage and in settings where speed is of the essence.

Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership has been using Fibo panels in its housing projects for 15 years, while South Lanarkshire Council has been using Fibo’s wall panels since 2004, installing them in over 20,000 properties. Vince Nugent, Project

Manager for South Lanarkshire Council says: “We have always found the product to be excellent in terms of installation, aesthetic finish and longterm durability and would not hesitate in recommending this to any organisation considering using it.”

Tosh Brannon, Project Team Coordinator for West Lothian Council, agrees: “The first thing we look for when sourcing materials for our properties is quality. Another important factor is how quickly and efficiently we can complete each installation.

“That’s why we use Fibo waterproof wall panels - the rigid composition of the panels and the simple interlocking system makes the installation quick and painless. We’re confident we’ve chosen a good product – in fact, we’ve installed Fibo panels in all West Lothian owned kitchens and bathrooms.”

Social housing providers can apply for a free trial of Fibo’s panels by emailing sales@fibo.co.uk or calling 01494 771242. For further information or to watch a video of a social housing installation visit www.fibo.co.uk

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HOUSINGSCOT SHARE

18 October 2018

Delivering events to meet the sector’s needs SHARE, the learning and development organisation for Scotland’s housing sector is bringing two events to the sector in November Connect//serve//deliver – Delivering For Your Tenants is aimed at all frontline staff. An audience that sometimes find it difficult to get to events but one who will greatly benefit from an opportunity to hear new ideas, develop new skills and meet up with colleagues from across the sector.

“We are now into our third year of delivering this event and there is always a really good buzz about it,” said Pauline Munro, SHARE’s Marketing & Events Manager. “It is suitable for reception staff, maintenance, housing officers in fact everyone who comes into contact with tenants and other customers.”

Among the speakers are Brian Costello, from Headstrong, who will be helping ensure delegates are motivated throughout the day and workshop topics include: The Scottish Housing Charter and why it matters; Dealing with conflict and violence; The role of Committee/Boards – what do they do?; A different approach to customers care; and Keeping loan workers safe.

SHARE’s Corporate Governance

event is brand new and for staff who service the Committee/Board within their organisation.

Alan Ferguson, SHARE’s Director said: “We are delighted to be welcoming George Walker, Chair of the Scottish Housing Regulator to open the event. It is important for those staff who support their Committee/Board to hear direction from the Regulator on requirements and how they can ensure good governance.”

For the final session of the day delegates will hear from Wellhouse Housing Association’s Director, Martin Wilkie-McFarlane, and their Chair, Maureen Morris, about their own experiences of Regulator engagement.

“This will be a fantastic opportunity for delegates to hear first-hand from Martin and Maureen about their experiences and gain insight into how staff can support their senior management at what can be a difficult and stressful time,” added Alan.

There is a host of excellent speakers delivering sessions at both events and SHARE urges senior staff within the sector to support their teams by getting them along to both events.

Information on both events can be found at www.share.org.uk/learning and development Connect//serve//deliver – delivering for your tenants, 14 November, Teacher Building, Glasgow. Corporate Governance, 29 November, Radisson Blu, Glasgow.

Attendees at a previous Connect//serve//deliver event

CCG

A focus on quality and delivery CCG’s off-site construction methods and collaborative working is delivering for local authorities

BY WILLIAM PEAKIN Local authorities across Scotland have embarked on a series of strategic partnerships with CCG, the Glasgowbased construction and manufacturing group. By engaging at the beginning of the process, councils are benefitting from the company’s expertise in urban regeneration – creating housing solutions that are bespoke to each client as well as ensuring quality and speed through off-site manufacturing techniques.

The partnership approach currently covers six local authorities – including East Ayrshire, the City of Edinburgh, West Dunbartonshire and Perth and Kinross – and extends from pre-construction, where CCG work together with architectural partners and clients to create places and housing solutions bespoke to them as cost effectively as possible, to a fully-fledged legacy of community benefit initiatives delivering jobs, apprenticeships, work placements, and community investment. Delivered via the Scottish Procurement Alliance, CCG will sustain a programme of up to 1,200 homes until 2021.

A recent example of CCG’s partnership work with local authorities include Barbieston Road in Dalrymple, East Ayrshire, comprising 11 two-bedroom properties, including two homes specifically designed for older and ambulant disabled residents and one wheelchairaccessible bungalow. Recently awarded ‘Best Housing’ by the Scottish Procurement Alliance Awards, this was the first project that has been delivered from CCG’s and East Ayrshire’s housing programme where CCG will help deliver the authorities entire Strategy Housing Investment Plan amounting to nearly 400 homes. As a benchmark for quality, residents will benefit from a housing standard befitting of their needs much faster thanks to a much

“By marrying direct procurement, offsite manufacturing, and a vastly more efficient site environment, CCG is able to offer speed of delivery”

more efficient procurement process.

Another example is in Craigmillar, Edinburgh. CCG has been operational in the town for a number of years with this latest project being its largest to date comprising 194 homes that are presently being constructed on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. Part of the Craigmillar town centre masterplan, comprising social, mid-market rent market rent homes spread across a housing mix of one, two- and threebedroom flats and three, four- and fivebedroom terraced homes, the project began in the autumn of 2016, as a pilot project to test housing delivery by direct appointment using the SPA NH1 Framework.

The ethos of project partnering and collaboration came from the outset with the City of Edinburgh and CCG agreeing a brief which allowed the design to evolve from interpreting community and planning feedback along with generation of a series of masterplans used to test design, planning and cost, achieving an estimated saving of 20 months on traditional procurement routes.

The company is currently live on more than 1,400 homes across Scotland with almost all homes constructed using the firm’s innovative ‘iQ’ closed panel timber frame system. Manufactured at the UK-lading CCG OSM facility in Cambuslang, the system ensures quality, sustainability, and speed of construction; key aspect factors in meeting goals around sustainability, fuel poverty

Homes are constructed using the company’s innovative iQ panelised timber frame system and available housing. By marrying the advantages of direct procurement, offsite manufacturing technologies and a vastly more efficient site environment, CCG is able to offer speed of delivery like no other contractor.

With a healthy order book, CCG has assessed the requirement of retaining quality standards whilst increasing their production output. Already known as one of the Scottish construction industry’s leading providers of jobs, apprenticeships, and training CCG has recently taken on an additional 35 employees at

the CCG OSM facility. Seen as an essential means of supporting demand, the win-win scenario for the company gives an assurance of delivery with the company able to deliver up to 1300 homes per year, whilst delivering a major job boost for the Glasgow economy. A recent intake of 20 trade apprentices (taking the number to 70 across the group of companies) and an annual intake of at least 25 new entrants has made sure that CCG are in an enviable position when it comes to building a more sustainable future.

HOMES FOR SCOTLAND

18 October 2018

HOUSINGSCOT 5

Mixed picture on new housing supply Investor confidence is essential to support growth from medium to larger builders Scotland’s home builders have welcomed official statistics showing a 3% increase in new house building for 2017-18 (17,731) compared with the previous year (17,293) but highlighted a mixed picture in the detail of the figures, with 16% fewer (532) private sector-led homes completed in Q1 2018 compared with the same quarter in 2017.

With the private sector playing a key role in assisting the Scottish Government to meet its ambitious affordable housing targets, Chief Executive at representative body Homes for Scotland (HFS) Nicola Barclay commented: “We are encouraged to note these latest statistics indicate a positive overall picture for affordable housing approvals as well as the wider sector.

“Whilst the extreme weather conditions earlier in the year made delivery challenging, it is essential that we are

not complacent when it comes to our efforts to increase supply across all tenures.

“As well as enabling increased activity from smaller builders, sustained confidence from investors is essential to support growth from medium to larger builders within a competitive UK environment. It is also crucial that the labour market is geared up across the sector, with skills shortages already creating challenges on sites across Scotland.

“In addition to the above, the Planning (Scotland) Bill represents a key opportunity to recalibrate our planning system so it can deliver what the people of Scotland need: enough high-quality homes in the right places to meet need and demand.

“HFS is working hard to persuade politicians and communities that a good system is one in which we collaborate effectively in order that precious time, resource and funds can be chanelled into the development of vibrant places and the delivery of more homes.”

Meanwhile, in a separate development building and property service companies across Scotland are being

A positive overall picture for affordable housing approvals invited to apply to become ‘preferred contractors’ as part of a newly launched Dynamic Purchasing System for capital and associated works projects in the social housing sector.

The new system is being managed

by PfH Scotland, specialist providers of procurement services to the housing sector and jointly owned by HouseMark, the National Housing Federation and the Chartered Institute of Housing.

It will be available for use by the growing number of Scottish social landlords that are PfH Scotland members to help streamline the process for procuring a variety of works such as kitchen and bathroom installations, electrical rewires, roofing, painting and making disabled adaptations.

As for other procurement solutions recently announced by PfH Scotland, the new Dynamic Purchasing System has been specifically designed to encourage SME participation by creating separate ‘preferred contractors’ lists covering six individual regions of Scotland, namely North East, North West, Central East, Central West, South East and South West.

Statistics from the Scottish Housing Regulator show that, more than three years after the target date for all social housing stock in Scotland to comply, more than 34,000 social sector homes still do not meet the Social Housing Quality Standard (SHQS).

PfH Scotland anticipate that the new Dynamic Purchasing System for capital and associated works projects it

is introducing should help its members to bring any remaining stock that still fails to meet the SHQS up to standard.

The system will also support ongoing works by registered social landlords to modernise their stock in line with tenants’ expectations and to improve tenant satisfaction levels.

PfH Scotland Head of Operations Stephen Herriot said: “We understand the challenges our members face to maintain and, where necessary, improve the quality of their housing stock through planned works – and to do so in a way that is affordable and ensures value for money for their tenants. Strategic procurement solutions such as our new capital works DPS will help social landlords to deliver these works on time and on budget.”

SHEPHERD AND WEDDERBURN LLP

Harnessing global opportunities – join the conversation

BY ANDREW HALL Is there anyone in the country who isn’t wondering what’s in store for them after our withdrawal from the EU? Some may also be equally concerned about global influences such as the policy direction of the current US administration, or the increasing economic influence of China, and the impact these factors will have on our economic prosperity.

For those whose lives and work have a strong connection to land, the effect of such influences can seem remote and irrelevant. However, they are present and potentially far-reaching.

Landowners, farmers, householders, tenants, owners of retail and leisure parks and malls, office workers, shopkeepers, suppliers, distributers and manufacturers: whether your connection is urban or rural, a place of work or a place to live, the imminent prospect of Brexit, whether soft, hard, or no-deal, will have consequences for us all.

While the understandable tendency is to look inward, worry about our immediate surroundings, and how to protect them, the Fraser of Allander

Institute report Scotland in 2050: Realising Our Global Potential - which Shepherd and Wedderburn commissioned to coincide with its 250th anniversary - encourages us to look outward; to think internationally; and to make the most of the opportunities that the evolving global political and economic landscape can offer. The threats to economic stability that current uncertainty engenders are by no means inevitable.

Growth is slow and productivity is weak, but Scotland, and Scottish businesses, have a lot to offer. We are a country rich in natural resources and skills, and excel in a diverse range of sectors: l in food and drink, whisky accounts for a substantial percentage of our export trade; and l in energy, Scotland is a major producer of, and innovator in, renewables, wave and tidal energy schemes, and wind and hydro energy generation, providing tens of thousands of jobs and giving us a strategic advantage in the battle against rising global emissions.

THESE AND other strengths, such as in financial services and precision

manufacturing, place Scotland in a prime position to use them to our advantage, and address some of the challenges to long-term growth. The key to this, according to the Fraser of Allander Institute, is harnessing external demand for our skills, services and products.

Exports are already a vital component of the Scottish economy, but there is huge potential for Scotland to grow internationally, since currently more than 60% of our exports are to the rest of the UK. While small countries tend to export a greater percentage of their GDP than large countries, Scotland is still well below most other small countries in the EU in terms of exports.

There is much to play for.

Seizing the opportunities overseas markets can offer is the challenge posed by the Fraser of Allander report.

Brexit may well be the catalyst that galvanises Scottish-based and other UK business into casting their nets more widely internationally: over 42% of Scotland’s international exports are currently destined for the EU market.

Understanding future trends is vital for businesses to realise their global

“While small countries tend to export a greater percentage of their GDP than large countries, Scotland is still well below most other small countries in the EU in terms of exports” Andrew Hall

potential: the upward trajectory of the world’s population, much of that in emerging economies such as the BRICS countries and new emerging markets in Asia, South America and Africa; low carbon opportunities to offset global emissions; and the reduction in barriers to trade that increasing automation and technological change offer.

Now is the time for Scottish businesses to consider their strategy for the future: they will need to be flexible; they will need to be patient; and while there are bound to be risks that need to be assessed, there are exciting opportunities that are demonstrably waiting to be tapped.

How are you preparing for the future? How can you benefit from the experiences of others? Join the conversation at shepwedd.com/scotland2050.

Andrew Hall is Head of Housebuilding at Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP.

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HOUSINGSCOT SCOTLAND EXCEL

18 October 2018

Building value for the nation Scotland Excel has transformed how essential goods, services and works are procured

BY WILLIAM PEAKIN It is widely recognised that affordable housing is a huge area of need in Scotland today. To help meet the Scottish Government’s target of delivering 50,000 affordable home by 2021, including 35,000 for social rent, Scotland Excel has announced its new build housing framework that will help meet this ambition now and in the future.

The framework, a multi-supplier contract arrangement that can be used by a range of public sector organisations, is being developed to help councils and housing associations find the best contractors to build affordable housing across the country.

This will shorten project timescales and secure best value. Backed by a proven 10-year Scotland Excel track record, the new framework will underpin Scottish Government policy and position the organisation as a key partner within Scotland’s construction sector.

Over the past decade, Scotland Excel has transformed how Scotland’s local government sector buys essential goods, services and works to make sure it gets the best value when spending public money. In that time, the value of contracts has grown from £100m to £1bn a year and Scotland Excel’s members have saved around £150m.

SAVINGS ARE only part of the story,

however; built into Scotland Excel’s contracts are social benefits, from encouraging employers to pay the living wage to securing apprenticeships and creating jobs (to date, 200 apprenticeships and 247 jobs). Housing Associations are also increasingly seeing the benefits of working with Scotland Excel, with 17 joining in the past year alone bringing the total to 22.

The organisation has acted as a

“Around 70% of our suppliers are small and medium enterprises, ensuring economic benefits are achieved across the country”

A tried and tested approach to forging links with partners has cemented Scotland Excel’s credibility in the construction sector leader of positive change, helping to raise the profile of public procurement by championing its potential to shape markets, support policy priorities, and, ultimately, ensure the sustainable delivery of the services that every community needs.

Housing is one area where it is working to transform the landscape and reap the benefits of collaboration across councils. Local government and the affordable housing sector will need to undertake considerable procurement activity to meet the Scottish Government’s ambitious targets. Coinciding with Scotland Excel’s 10th anniversary, the development of the new build housing framework

Jennifer McKerrall will help to deliver these much-needed affordable new homes.

This national collaborative approach will generate significant strategic and operational efficiencies, particularly around developing specifications, as well as mitigating potential bottlenecks within the procurement process. Additional benefits will also be delivered through the new build programme, including jobs and apprenticeships.

“There has been significant stakeholder consultation,” said Jennifer McKerrall, Scotland Excel’s strategic programme manager for construction and social care, “to make sure that the framework is reflective of stakeholder requirements and provides an effective

solution for both purchasers and contractors. Ultimately, everyone’s goal is to provide high quality homes for the people of Scotland.”

IMPORTANTLY FOR the Scottish economy, Scotland Excel encourages a range of businesses across the country to tender for work. The new framework will build on this by including lots for various project sizes. It will also require sub-contracting opportunities to be opened up to local businesses.

“We always challenge the view that national contracts are only for big business, and work to dispel the myth that public procurement is prohibitively bureaucratic. Scotland Excel frame-

work suppliers are around 70% small and medium enterprises, ensuring economic benefits are achieved across the country.

“The targets local authorities and housing associations have to meet are incredibly ambitious - but we think having access to a range of contractors will make a real difference. We are also keen to hear from those offering innovative construction methods which could improve delivery timescales as well as those offering more traditional models.”

The new build housing framework contract notice will be published in November 2018 with a live framework in place by August 2019.

An evolving portfolio Scotland Excel is in the vanguard of procurement innovation More than 200,000 are employed in Scotland’s construction industry, and through public contracts their work develops the infrastructure for services such as health, transport, and education.

In 2013, a Scottish Government’s review of public sector procurement in construction envisioned “an approach which achieves better collaboration in design-led, efficient and effective public sector construction procurement and which has regard to sustainability”.

Scotland Excel is helping make this vision a reality. As the Centre of Procurement Expertise for local government, it manages a portfolio of 13 construction frameworks to support the requirements of councils and other

partners. Taken together, these frameworks account for 34%, or £382m, of the overall value of Scotland Excel’s £1bn contract portfolio.

Over time, its tried and tested approach to forging links with partners has cemented Scotland Excel’s credibility in the construction sector and increased the number and scope of frameworks. Everything the organisation does is developed in Scotland, with and for its members, delivering £7.4m in savings to councils each year along with social and economic benefits for their areas.

One advantage of working with Scotland Excel is the unrivalled scope of its work. It is able to pool its knowledge and work with councils across all contract areas – such as transport, roads, environment and social care – so it can continue to raise the bar on sustainability, community benefits, and economic and social value.

Frameworks initially covered construction materials and tools for local authorities but have expanded over time to encompass eight construction services. They include an innovative framework for demolition services, the first of its kind in Scotland, which supports the regeneration of our towns and cities.

Another is the engineering consultancy framework which responds to the increasing number of City Deals announced across Scotland. This framework helps to support the huge infrastructure investment required and facilitates sustainable economic development. The new build housing framework adds to this evolving portfolio.

Alongside this, there is an energy efficiency contractors’ framework, Scotland Excel’s largest ever contract opportunity. It was designed in partnership with stakeholders to help

meet national policy goals of reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions.

The arrangement provides a quick and efficient route to market, enabling access to contractors offering a range of efficiency improvements.

The breadth of the construction portfolio reaches into disparate areas like designing, building, and maintaining outdoor play areas, and supplying furnishings for temporary accommodation. Both actively address a social need by promoting cohesion and social welfare in local communities.

Looking ahead to the next 10 years, Scotland Excel aims to further secure its place in the vanguard of procurement innovation by responding to changing expectations around public service delivery. For example, in response to emerging trends, it is conducting research into district heating systems and into electrical vehicle charging.

About Scotland Excel

Established in 2008, Scotland Excel is the centre of procurement expertise for the local government sector; a non-profit shared service funded by Scotland’s 32 councils. Scotland Excel’s £1bn contract portfolio supports the delivery of social care, construction, roads, transport, environment, corporate, education and ICT services, and achieves annual savings of around £15m. Contracts are designed to encourage innovation, facilitate policy, support local economies and generate social value for communities.

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HOUSINGSCOT BIELD

Mr Glen has published a book, at 97, and is about to publish his second

27 September 2018 Mrs McNeil, 95, who has produced more than 350 paintings

Rising to the challenge Providing flexible services and modern, comfortable, safe homes

BY BRIAN LOGAN I wasn’t born when Bield built its first sheltered housing development in 1971.

Back then average life expectancy was 70.8 years (both sexes). Fast forward 47 years and those figures are now 81 years for females and 77 years for males.

Less than a decade ago, when I took over as chief executive in 2010, it was a rare occasion when I sent a congratulatory card to someone living in our housing reaching their milestone 100th birthday. Eight years on and this year I will send eighteen cards.

Better living conditions, advances in healthcare and medicines mean older people with more complex health conditions are living much longer.

It’s great news that people are living longer and can enjoy many years post retirement, but for organisations such as Bield an ageing population brings both challenges and opportunities.

A recent survey of our tenants revealed 75% consider themselves to have a disability and the majority of these (80%) indicated it was a mobility/ physical disability. 71% have a mobile phone and 30% have a tablet device.

These aren’t surprising statistics, but they demonstrate the changing characteristics of older people whose aspirations and expectations have changed since we built our first houses in 1971.

People living in our houses range from 50 years to over 100 years-old.

We have mothers and fathers with their sons and daughters living in the same development. Their needs and aspirations are not the same. This is where the challenges for housing providers, particularly specialist providers such as Bield come to the fore.

The expectations of Bield’s custom-

ers now and in the future are for more flexible services, genuinely giving people choice and for more modern, comfortable and safe homes. We are passionate about delivering exactly that.

The innovation and enthusiasm to make change happen is there in abundance.

The external environment we operate within is ever changing. It’s extremely hard to keep pace with changes that impact on the service sector. Even more so when the population is increasing, and their needs are becoming ever more complex and demanding. And all of this is happening at a time when public funding is reducing.

Brian Logan with tenants, at Fleming Place in Edinburgh

WE ARE FORTUNATE that one of our

cores strengths as an organisation is the ability to look ahead and innovate.

In 2013, we started to remodel our sheltered housing service to a new Retirement Housing model, one that did not rely on public funding. We have now used the foundations of this model to make changes to Very Sheltered Housing, ensuring it is a more sustainable service long into the future - but still enabling older people to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.

Sadly, we have taken some tough decisions over the past year which has been difficult for a caring organisation; 2017 will no doubt be remembered by many as the year we ended a longstanding involvement in the residential care home sector. This extremely difficult decision affected 12 care homes.

It was by far the most difficult decision in our 47-year history. After many years of searching for solutions to keep them open we had to admit defeat. As a charity, we only ever wanted these services to break even, but after a number of years of successive losses with no prospect of additional funding from government, we had to bow to the inevitable.

The impact on the lives of the people

“We are fortunate that one of our cores strengths as an organisation is the ability to look ahead and innovate” Brian Logan

affected by this decision was without doubt significant, whether service users, their relatives and carers, or the staff who worked in the care homes.

The months following the announcement were tough. For everyone.

The media used Bield to highlight the growing national care crisis. We were not alone in closing care homes and more organisations will undoubtedly follow but we were one of the first to do so at scale.

It was often hard for us to maintain a dignified silence in the face of such public criticism. But we chose to focus

our efforts on supporting those who would be directly impacted by the closures. Now, almost a year since we made the announcement, was it the right decision? Without a doubt it was.

There was no alternative; we had tried every avenue.

WE’RE A registered charity but this doesn’t mean we can abdicate responsibility for making tough business decisions. We have a responsibility to the thousands of other customers who live in our houses and use our services to keep them affordable. Running services at a financial loss isn’t an option.

Our new strategic direction will see us through the coming years and beyond into our 50th anniversary. I am hugely positive and ambitious for what lies ahead for Bield.

We are extremely proud of our new housing development in Edinburgh - 40 new homes in a city where affordable housing is in high demand by the ordinary citizens who live and work there. These are lifetime homes for the over 50s who can remain in them until they choose to leave. At the recent opening event, talking to the tenants who live in these new homes highlighted what we’re about as an organisation. We go on improving the

lives of Scotland’s older people.

When I look at the services we provide Bield Response24 (BR24) highlights the way in which we continue to innovate. Our SureCall service is a prime example of where monitoring and mobile technology are brought together to provide a less intrusive way of providing monitoring services for older people. No more waiting for the ‘morning Warden Call’. Mobile telephones can be used anywhere in the home or outside.

The quality service provided by the team at BR24 has recently been recognised by Renfrewshire Council.

We have won a five-year contract to provide services to 3500 customers in sheltered and extra care housing developments and dispersed units for those living in the community.

We’re growing our new model of flexible home care. We know there’s demand for good quality home care and, in the coming year, we’ll pilot this service in a number of new locations.

When I meet the people who live in our houses and rely on the services we provide it reminds me of why we exist as an organisation. Tenants like Mr Glen who, at 97, has published a book and is about to publish his second novel. Mrs McNeil, a 95-year-old, who has produced more than 350 paintings and bakes 20 cakes a week and gives them away for others to enjoy.

They motivate me, and they keep me focussed on what we need to do.

What does the future hold for Bield?

We will be here long into the future.

We need to adapt, make changes and innovate. If we keep doing that, we will deliver housing and services that meet the needs of a growing ageing population in Scotland, supporting more people like Mr Glen and Mrs McNeil to live independent and fulfilling lives.

Brian Logan is chief executive of Bield. www.bield.co.uk

8

HOUSINGSCOT CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING SCOTLAND

18 October 2018

Housing at the heart CIH Scotland has a busy six months ahead leading up to its national conference

BY WILLIAM PEAKIN There has not really been time for Callum Chomczuk to ease into his new role as Director of the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland. Joining as Deputy Director in March this year, he was involved in helping roll out the organisation’s learning and awareness campaign on domestic abuse; an issue where housing professionals can play a key role in identifying instances and influencing policy for the better.

“It perfectly illustrates the nature of our role as an organisation,” said Chomczuk, “to both equip our members with the skills they need and to demonstrate how housing can sit at the heart of so many important public policy issues.” Chomczuk succeeds Annie Mauger - “a fantastic advocate for the sector,” said CIH’s chief executive Terrie Alafat – who made the case for 50,000 homes over the course

of the current Parliament and led development of last month’s Scottish Housing Day. “I am very excited to take on this role,” said Chomczuk. “CIH is a fantastic organisation with a dedicated membership committed to ensuring everyone has a decent, affordable home. And given the prominence that housing has as a public policy issue I am looking forward to leading the team here to ensure that decisions made by policy-makers and practitioners are made with access to the best possible information.”

The next six months are a busy time for CIH Scotland. On 2 November, the 2018 Excellence Award winners will be revealed at the CIH Scotland Excellence Awards dinner being held at the EICC in Edinburgh. The awards recognise and celebrate the creativity, passion, and innovation of housing organisations and individuals across the breadth of the sector in Scotland.

This year’s event will feature four new categories.

On 22 November, ‘The Big Conversation’ held at The Arches in Glasgow is an opportunity for young and aspiring housing professional to develop

CIH Scotland’s annual Housing Festival is the nation’s biggest housing event

“A safe and secure home is at the heart of preventing some of the most complex problems we face” Callum Chomczuk

their career ambitions. And on 29 November, CIH Scotland hosts its annual lecture at the Dovecot Studios in Edinburgh, this year delivered by Professor Susan Deacon CBE, Chair of the Scottish Police Authority and Assistant Principal of Corporate Engagement at the University of Edinburgh.

For Chomczuk the autumn events are a prelude to CIH Scotland’s annual Housing Festival, the nation’s biggest housing event which returns to Glasgow on 12 and 13 March with, he said, “a strong message for the world; that a safe and secure home is at the heart of supporting people and communities and preventing and solving some of the most complex

problems we face in society today.”

Themes for 2019 focus on ‘people at the heart’, ‘the day job’, ‘people and place’, and ‘horizons’. “The festival puts ‘home at the heart’ focusing on key issues facing both our local and international communities,” said Chomczuk. “Child poverty, creating strong and safe communities, plus supporting vulnerable people are the key topics at the core of this year’s event.

“Bringing you expert keynotes, top level debate, hands-on knowledge and innovation, and focused on the biggest issues in the sector today, this event will provide something that suits everyone, whether strategic, operational or inspirational.”

HOME AT THE HEART

12-13 March 2019, SEC, Glasgow Join us for two days of unmissable action as Scotland’s biggest housing event returns to Glasgow, as we tackle the biggest issues facing the sector.

www.cih.org/scotlandshousingfestival #housingfestival

Book now and get 10% off your delegate place