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Click here to download the SOCIAL_HOUSING_CROSSWORD_PUZZLE.pdf

The future of social housing was prudently addressed, following a riveting conversation held by Theresa Mays former chief of staff Nick Timothy at one of our own board awaydays, back in January.

Many believe that social housing is nearing the bottom of the agenda when it comes to the implications of Brexit and is being heavily overlooked.

Arguable, the main issue that the social housing sector is going to face is the logistical changes to supply chains. With materials like timber being heavily imported from the EU, many merchants have already begun contingency planning to maintain their sustainability, and have adopted the approach of stockpiling materials; however, it’s a very temporary solution

The overcomplicating of importing materials is set to have some implications on the affordability of social homes, whether this is going to be for the good or bad of renters in the UK.

But the question is, does anyone know what they are doing? Planning for the unknown is an impossible feat in all walks of life, let alone when looking to mitigate the effects of Brexit on an entire industry.

The potential knock-on effects are endless with the immediate ones possibly the most damaging. Will we begin seeing more or less jobs in the construction industry? Half of construction workers in London come from the EU and many have already gone back to avoid being ‘stuck’.

The effects that deal or no deal Brexit could be endless from temporary purchasing alternative materials to a complete logistical change, steering away from current just in time solutions.

Going from a blanket agreement to, well, who knows what, is going to be a huge change regardless of the specifics and the social housing market is inevitably going to learn to adapt no matter what comes its way; Deal or No Deal is just the beginning of something bigger.

With every future deal coming from UK Parliament, surely our government will do what is best for UK citizens? It is no secret that the UK has been in a housing crisis for some time now with the publication of reports like the Shelter’s “vision for social housing”.

Although the UK is going Brexit crazy, there’s no need to panic. CHIC has been actively collaborating with its members / suppliers to gather intel on what is the best course of action to mitigate the amount of disruption to the supply chain. 95% of Manufacturers and Distributors have already plans in place to mitigate for a No deal vote with the large majority being determined as low risk. (Testimonial from a supplier)

CHIC has engaged with it’s supply chain to ensure that members have contingencies in place for every aspect of property maintenance requirements.

CHIC’s Merchant Services Manager (maybe change it to Supply chain manager) is of the opinion that: “The worst thing that we in the social housing industry can do right now, is to put our heads in the sand and hope that this storm will pass us by. The first thing that will be affected will be supply chains, as we see in other sectors such as the automotive industry. Arguably if housing associations engage with purchasing groups, in respect of their suppliers, trends will be noticeable which means that steps can be taken to mitigate negative effects.”

As rightly pointed out purchasing groups such as CHIC, are better positioned to notice trends in the market that individual housing associations cannot see, and this is purely down to the number of suppliers each engages. Having a pool of suppliers providing the same type of service, normally via a framework, will allow members that purchase through that group a better understanding of where the market is going.

In these trialling times, co-operation is key, and instead of we can do it better, we need to do it better together.

The question is then, what has your association done to ensure that services will not drop.

Quote from Bournville to come: - need to chase giles again today.

If you are worried about the Brexit impact on your organisation, please give us a call.

CHIC Conference is back

We are delighted to announce that the CHIC Conference & Exhibition is back, taking place on Wednesday 21st May 2025 in Telford. Registrations to this one day event are now open and you can hear from a wide range of housing and construction industry experts discussing the current asset management and development issues facing social housing landlords. This years theme HOUSING MATTERS NOW recognises that social housing is finally taking a centre stage under the new Labour Government and we will discuss how to make the most of this political momentum.

REGISTER NOW

 

HOMES UK 27-28 November 2024, ExCel, London

We are looking forward to welcoming our members, partners and other exhibitors to the CHIC Community at this year’s HOMES UK event. We have some great supply chain partners showcasing their services and products this year, all available through CHIC’s DPS and Framework solutions. 

Be sure to come and meet with us all in our free café. Our exhibiting partners are: 

 

We hosted our Newbuild Roundtable

CHIC hosted its first newbuild core group meeting following the launch of the new framework earlier this year. The purpose of the core group is for members and supply chain partners to come together and discuss how the framework should operate. This core group discussion was based around defining the right KPIs, at both framework and contract levels.

We are currently consolidating the conclusions reached in the roundtable discussions and will be preparing specific KPIs for the Framework at the next roundtable core group which will be held at CHIC’s conference on 21st May 2025.

Thank you to all who attended for giving your views and experiences.For more information on our Newbuild framework, please visit https://www.chicltd.co.uk/services/frameworks/newbuild/We will also review the findings from the discussions and share a report in the next issue of CHIC CHAT.

 

New starter to the Member Services team

This month we said farewell to Sarah Degg, Head of Members Services for the West region who has started a new role in a different sector. In her place, we are delighted to welcome Amy Bickerton to the team. Amy is an accomplished Account Management professional with considerable experience. Amy is tasked with overseeing member relationships, ensuring satisfaction and engagement by facilitating access to resources, negotiating supplier contracts and optimising procurement processes.To contact Amy please send an email to abickerton@chicltd.co.uk 

 

ProcureX Wales

CHIC exhibited at ProcureX Wales this month and met up with several current and prospective members. We had some great conversations and look forward to working with new members and onboarding several new suppliers to our DPS.

 

 

 

Steve Shares Insights on Procurement and Decarbonisation Strategies in Recent Warm Homes Webinar

CHIC’s Director of Member Services, Steve Sharman, had the pleasure of representing CHIC in the recent Warm Homes Webinar hosted by LivGreen. During the session he participated in a comprehensive Q&A session, addressing key questions related to the procurement and decarbonisation of housing projects. Here’s a summary of the questions directed towards CHIC and Steve's responses:

 

Steve confirmed that CHIC frameworks are well suited for the procurement needs of both large and small providers, including those with under 1,000 homes or shared housing and hostels. He emphasised that CHIC's membership includes a diverse range of organisations, from those managing as few as 50 homes to large scale providers with over 100,000 homes. The frameworks are designed to accommodate all types of housing need, making them an accessible option for specialised care providers as well as for mainstream general needs housing.  

 

 

 

 

Steve's participation helped delegates to understand CHIC’s routes to market, demonstrating our commitment to supporting social housing providers in their efforts to deliver sustainable, energy efficient homes. For more detailed information about CHIC’s services, visit our website. 

 

 

 

Procurement Update for CHIC Members

Our procurement team continues to focus on developing robust routes to market, ensuring that CHIC's frameworks and DPS offer comprehensive solutions to meet the evolving needs of our members. Here is the latest update on our ongoing procurement activities:

Fire & Building Safety FrameworkThe moderation phase of the Fire and Building Safety Framework is currently underway. This framework will provide a wide array of fire safety services, from installation and maintenance to remediation of passive and active fire safety systems, aligning with the stringent requirements of the Building Safety Act.

Mechanical and Electrical FrameworkThe tender process for the Mechanical and Electrical Framework is currently in its final stages, with the tender set to close on Friday 22nd November 2024. This framework will encompass services for the installation, replacement and periodic testing of heating, electrical and ventilation systems. Once evaluation is complete, CHIC will announce the awarded partners, which should provide our members access to a reliable pool of mechanical and electrical contractors across the UK.

Multiple Elements Framework & Merchant and Materials FrameworkWe continue to make steady progress in procuring the new Multiple Elements and Merchant Materials frameworks. These are being developed in alignment with the new Procurement Act 2023 and will deliver value to our members through streamlined processes and give access to a wide range of building materials and services. If you want to find out more about what you should be doing in preparation for the new act, please click here: https://www.chicltd.co.uk/news/procurement-act-2023-adoption-delayed-what-should-you-be-doing-now/

Scoping Out Future Re-Procurements

Our team is currently in the planning phase for further framework updates and replacements. These aim to renew and enhance our existing services, ensuring CHIC meets the latest industry standards and member needs. Services due for reprocurement include:-   Energy Supply-   Risk Assessments-   Asbestos Abatement Services-   Lifting Equipment & Mobility Aids-   Consultancy Services

Increase in Mini-Competition Activities

While there have been no significant changes in tendering activities this month, we have seen an increase in mini-competition activity. CHIC’s procurement team is currently engaged in several high value projects, working with a wide range of members, including large regional and national RP’s. These multi million pound projects demonstrate our capability to deliver large scale, tailored procurement solutions as well as small, focussed projects to meet our members' diverse needs.

We will continue to update our members as these initiatives progress. For any feedback, suggestions, or additional information about CHIC's ongoing and upcoming framework procurements, please reach out to Sam Domican, Director of Procurement, at tenders@chicltd.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wayne Williams from Axion Building Solutions said “Axiom Building Solutions is delighted to share its experience of working with Wrekin Housing Group and the seamless process we encountered while securing a direct award through CHIC. From the very beginning CHIC demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise, guiding us through each step with clarity and efficiency.” “The application process was straightforward and well-structured, thanks to CHIC’s user-friendly platform. Axiom’s dedicated team was always available to provide support and answer any questions we had, making the entire experience feel collaborative and stress-free. CHIC’s proactive approach ensured that we had all the necessary documentation in order, which significantly expedited the approval process.” “Receiving the direct award was a significant milestone for Axiom and it wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work and commitment from both Axiom Building Solutions and CHIC. I highly recommend this partnership to anyone looking for a streamlined and effective route to securing building solutions. Thank you, CHIC, for making this process not just easy, but also enjoyable and it is a great pleasure to continue to provide high quality services to Wrekin Housing.”

 

 

 

However, MMC also has the potential to improve performance in another construction-related field: social value. By their nature, MMC facilities can deliver community engagement, skills development, and improved living standards—beyond the economic benefits they provide.

In construction, "social value" refers to the broader benefits projects bring to society, such as community impact, job creation, sustainability, and social well-being. It emphasises contributing positively to local communities through supporting local employment and supply, leading educational programmes in local schools and colleges, or volunteering time to "facelift" a nearby community resource. All these are valuable initiatives that should not be taken for granted. However, there is also a challenge with this type of social action when it happens on an ad-hoc basis and in short bursts. It results in less impactful programmes, daily training sessions, or job talks at schools, simply due to the nature of the site-by-site work. This is further emphasised—again, for many justifiable reasons—by the desire of local governments to enjoy the benefits of projects within their respective municipal zones.

MMC represents an emerging profession that merges construction and manufacturing, demanding a deep understanding of both fields. Collaborating with educational institutions allows the MMC industry to embed this discipline into students' training from the outset. By learning BIM-led design, CNC manufacturing, and waste minimisation, students become ready to contribute effectively—not just someday, but within the foreseeable planning horizon. Just as teenagers internalise the instincts of smartphone use, future MMC professionals will embody this new craft. A facility rooted in its community can both deliver greater value to the target demographic and reap considerably higher rewards in return.

 

Case Study

MY Construction Group's MMC facility (MY-Fab) is a good example of how this can work. A specialist in modular construction, MY-Fab has partnered with Northampton College to involve 250 students in key modular housing projects every year. Students from carpentry, mechanical, and electrical courses are gaining hands-on experience by working on tools to deliver MY's projects. By learning the ins and outs of CNC manufacturing processes alongside whole-life waste diversion/elimination principles, while also swinging hammers and switching drill bits from early in the training process, these young adults have become ready and eager to join the workforce, with an instinctive understanding of MMC. Not in a distant, hypothetical future, but within two years—which is well within the facility's planning horizon.

On-site social value activities are still crucial and should be encouraged and expanded. However, the social value added by MMC facilities should be given greater consideration when evaluating the social impact of a construction project, let alone a multi-billion-pound framework. Current regulations still emphasise only the location-based contributions of a project, while with the changing landscape of construction, public sector procurement bodies must introduce new metrics to account for the value added by MMC facilities.

Please see a link to a short video case study produced by Northampton College

 

 

Jack’s Story
CARPENTRY

Carpentry student Jack is thrilled to have developed new skills during his two-day work experience placement at the Northampton-based manufacturing company MY-FAB.

During his industry placement, Jack found it useful to see how different work environments operate, and he enjoyed learning how to use some power tools that he has not yet used on the Level 2 Site Carpentry course at Northampton College.

He said: "I enjoyed doing my work experience placement at MY-FAB because the staff were helpful and made me feel comfortable. It was great to learn on the job and I was able to use the skills I have developed at the College during my placement as I was involved in multiple different jobs."

The teaching team on the carpentry course at Northampton College helped Jack secure his industry placement. Reflecting on his tutors, Jack said:"The teachers on my course are extremely helpful and very nice people. I ask lots of questions but my tutors never get annoyed and are always happy to support me. They are great at showing students the best way to do things."

Jack is hoping to secure a carpentry apprenticeship after completing his College course.

"Ideally, I would like to start a career working in the building industry after completing my studies at the College," said Jack.

He added: "Carpentry is my main area of interest, but I would also like to gain experience working in other sectors, such as window cleaning and gardening."

 

 

We are thrilled to announce that the CHIP Awards and Fundraising Dinner is back and set to be bigger than ever in 2025! Mark your calendars for 21st May as we gather at the Telford International Centre to celebrate outstanding achievements, following the next CHIC Conference.

This evening is an opportunity for our members, supply chain partners and supporters to come together and celebrate the incredible work being done across our members communities. The event will also raise charitable funds, helping us to continue our mission of supporting local initiatives and making a lasting impact.

2025 CHIP Awards Categories

We are proud to present five prestigious awards that recognise excellence and positive contributions within our community.

To nominate your candidate, please CLICK HERE

The Maggie Punyer Award: High Achiever of the Year

This award is for an individual whose remarkable contributions have significantly enhanced social value within their organisation and beyond. This will be someone who has helped to make a real difference, be it through community engagement, sustainable initiatives, or creating meaningful opportunities that benefit others. The recipient of this award has set themselves apart not only through their personal achievements but also by directly promoting positive social change that aligns with their organisation’s values.

CHIC sponsors this award in memory of its former Chair, Maggie Punyer, who was directly involved in establishing CHIP.

Career Development Excellence Award 

This award recognises an individual who has demonstrated exceptional growth, dedication and achievement in their career journey or apprenticeship. This is to celebrate a nominee who has consistently exceeded expectations in their role, showing an outstanding commitment to their personal and trade/ professional development and making a significant impact in the workplace. Applications are welcomed for trainees or apprentices, starting out in their chosen career.

 

Social Value Employer of the Year

This award is to recognise an organisation that excels in encouraging a culture of colleague care, inclusivity and positive social outcomes. It encourages organisations which prioritise employee well being and create an environment that nurtures growth and support. The recipient must show exceptional commitment to social value, demonstrating that true success involves uplifting people and positively impacting society.

The organisation has made a significant impact by providing opportunities that extend beyond employment, including skill development programmes, community engagement initiatives and policies that support mental wellbeing and work-life balance. These efforts empower employees to advocate for positive change.

 

Positive Impact Awards 

The Positive Impact Award recognises outstanding initiatives that have significantly improved local communities and individual lives. This award honours individuals, teams, or organisations that have dedicated substantial resources such as time, expertise, or funding to create lasting positive change.

Nominees will have made measurable contributions through specific activities that address community needs, providing opportunities and support that enhance the lives of local individuals.

 

The Ian Winslet Award: Mentor of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding mentor whose inspirational qualities have significantly impacted others. This award recognises a mentor who leads with empathy, patience and dedication, empowering learners to achieve their potential.

Nominees must show a deep understanding of learners' needs, offering tailored guidance to overcome unique challenges. By actively listening and providing practical support, they have helped individuals grow in skills, confidence and career development.

This award is sponsored by ARK Consultancy, in memory of a former Director, Ian Winslet.

 

 

A Special Thanks to Our Headline Sponsor

We extend gratitude to Bell Group, the winner of the 2023 Social Value Employer of the Year award, for their ongoing support. We are delighted to have them as the headline sponsor for the 2025 event.

 

 

Event Details

• Date: 21st May 2025
• Location: Telford International Centre

This is an evening you won't want to miss. To secure your place and join us in celebrating excellence, please visit our booking page: https://www.chipcharity.org.uk/awards/.