Stuart Hough, Managing Director, Travis Perkins
David Wells, Executive Director of Operations, Wrekin Housing
Marcus Jones MP, Minister for Housing and Planning at the Department for Levelling Up
Maggie Punyer, Chair, CHIC Board of Directors
John Fisher, Chief Executive, CHIC

Key issues discussed were:

• Delivering affordable new homes – meeting demand and embracing MMC
• Cost of living increases and the impact on tenants housing and heating costs
• Inflation and the impact on the supply chain and construction costs
• Delivering net zero – investment and regeneration at scale
• Sector recruitment – making the construction and the housing sector an attractive career option

Maggie Punyer, Chair of CHIC who facilitated the discussion, said “CHIC’s Round Table, held just weeks, after the Minister’s appointment gave the sector and supply chain an early opportunity to raise key concerns and influence decision making at this critical time.”

In his closing remarks, Marcus Jones MP said “I want to thank CHIC for organising this Round Table so quickly. I found this open and frank discussion most informative, and it has helped to further inform my thinking on some of the key issues confronting the sector, residents and the supply chain. Housing is key to solving a number of society’s most serious issues”

What attendees had to say…

“Thank you, CHIC, for organising such an informative session in such a short time frame following the new minister’s appointment.” Marcus Keys, Longhurst

"It was helpful to address a range of key issues affecting the Housing Sector directly with the Minister and his team. The key challenges of the cost of living crisis, achieving affordable warmth for tenants against escalating energy prices, and the myriad of expectations for investment to tackle increased property compliance issues, building safety, zero carbon on top of the perennial expectations to build more much needed affordable housing were conveyed from a range of different perspectives represented in the room from Housing Providers, Contractors and Suppliers. Let’s hope the intelligence fed to Government influences thinking positively to create better outcomes for our tenants in the longer term." David Wells, Wrekin

“A very insightful day. Good to see Contractors and Housing Association’s on the same page with the issues that need to be resolved. We need to work together, and it was good to see a real willingness to listen. A lot of content was covered.” Matt Hiley, Novus

“A very enjoyable and informative session. Look forward to the government taking on board some of the suggestions proposed.” Martin Wickers, Pilon

“Fantastic opportunity to meet the minister. Always good to see government engaging with the sector including the supply chain, as we all gear up to meet large demands of net zero and continuing challenges facing the sector around fire safety.” Harvey Melvin, Ventro

Further enquiries about this discussion should be sent to enquiries@chicltd.co.uk