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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year’s exhibiting partners include:

•  Emplas Commercial•  Novus Property Solutions•  Hewer – Showcasing Heat Saviour•  ARK Consultancy•  Broad Oak Group•  EFAM Air •  Synergize •  Sovereign Group •  Pennington Choices•  United Living Property Services•  Ecosafe Group•  Anglian Building Products•  AKW

 

 

This Month’s Housing UpdatesScotland Launches £4m Homelessness Prevention Fund
The Scottish Government has unveiled a £4 million fund, managed by Advice Direct Scotland, to support organisations trialing new “ask and act” duties under the Housing (Scotland) Bill. These measures require public bodies, including health boards, police and prisons, to take steps to prevent homelessness. This builds on a prior £1 million investment in homelessness prevention. (Scottish Government)

London’s Land Fund Hits 8,000 Homes Milestone
The Mayor of London’s Land Fund, launched in 2017, has enabled over 8,000 homes and is on track to meet its 2030 target. With £736 million in funding, including £486 million from central government, the Fund invests in land acquisition, mezzanine finance and partnerships with commercial developers. Projects include housing on the former Holloway Prison site, surplus NHS land in Enfield and Haringey, and Mitre Yard in Old Oak & Park Royal. (Greater London Authority)

Social Rents Lag Behind Inflation
Analysis by the Housing Forum shows social rents have fallen in real terms over the past decade. Average weekly social rents rose from £92.30 in 2014 to £109.44 in 2023/24, below the inflation adjusted £123.73. The share of income spent on rent dropped from 29.2% to 26.4% and those struggling to afford rent fell from 41% to 28%. Contributing factors include past rent caps, temporary cuts and the scrapping of rent convergence. (Housing Forum / English Housing Survey)

Urgent Clarity Needed on Social Rent Grant Rates
Development directors are calling for government guidance on grant rates under the new £39 billion Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP). The programme, announced in the June Spending Review, aims to deliver 300,000 homes over 10 years, with 60% for social rent. Officials say grant details are crucial to accelerate development planning. (UK Government / SAHP)

New Guidance for UK Fire Door Manufacturers
The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) has published the Ironmongery Manufacturers’ Guidance Document to help manufacturers comply with fire safety standards. Developed with industry groups, the guidance clarifies responsibilities for product selection, fitting and maintenance, addressing past confusion and inconsistent standards in the construction supply chain. (OPSS)

Wales Plans Long Term Housing Strategy
Following a consultation on housing adequacy, the Welsh Government will develop a comprehensive housing and regeneration strategy. The October 2024 white paper proposed a framework based on UN housing standards. Measures include rent data collection, an annual property condition record and policies addressing affordability, eviction protections, and housing quality. (Welsh Government)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Multiple Elements Framework – Tender Closed
The procurement process for the Multiple Elements Framework, which supports planned maintenance works, has now been awarded subject to a standstill period. The launch event for new framework partners takes place on 24th September.

Merchants & Materials Framework – Re-Procurement Underway
Ongoing planning is in progress for the re-procurement of the Merchants & Materials Framework. In partnership with Efficiency North, we are refining documentation and scope to ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and alignment with member needs.

Imminent Procurement – Decoration Framework
The Decoration Framework tender is now live with a good level of engagement. If you would like to tender for this opportunity, please click here: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046455-2025

Frameworks in the Procurement Planning Stage
Initial planning is now underway for the following frameworks, to replace existing ones in the final stages of their term:
• Consultancy Services
• Lifting Equipment & Mobility Aids

Upcoming Procurement – Compliance Services
We are continuing early scoping and supplier engagement for a new Compliance Framework - potentially including lots and sublots for Audit, Water Hygiene, Asbestos and Abatement Services and General Risk Advisory Services.

 

Team Update – New Starter 
I am delighted to welcome another new starter in CHIC’s Procurement Team Sinziana Dumitrache as a Procurement Officer. Here's a brief introduction from Sinziana herself:

“I’m Sinziana and I have recently joined CHIC as a Procurement Officer, bringing with me over 9 years of experience in strategic sourcing and category management. Before this, I worked at Probrand as a Category Buyer, where I was responsible for managing supplier and vendor relationships, driving cost efficiencies, and delivering value across various IT spend categories. I’m excited to be part of CHIC Procurement Team and look forward to supporting our members and contributing to smarter, more sustainable procurement solutions.”

For more details on CHIC’s procurement programme, please contact Sam Domican, Director of Procurement, at tenders@chicltd.co.uk.

 

 

 

  

 

Staying ahead of the curve: what the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 means for CHIC’s supply chain

By Liam Gratty, Director of Strategic Services, CHIC 

 

Here is what you need to know and what we will be keeping an eye on together.
What is the Act
The Act came into force in July 2025 and gives the UK Government new powers to bring in or update product safety, environmental and measurement rules much more quickly. It covers: 

• Safety risks, making sure products do not harm people or property• Efficiency and environmental performance, so products use less energy, last longer and can be repaired more easily• Measurement accuracy, especially for equipment that weighs, measures or calibrates It is not just about tightening the rules. It is about making them more agile so the Government can react swiftly or match international standards when it makes sense to do so. 

The Grenfell Tower Tragedy exposed significant failures in the construction products regulatory system, revealing institutional failures.
The Government is clear that critical gaps persist in the construction products regulatory framework and is proposing a series of reforms aimed at enhancing safety, ensuring accountability, and fostering innovation and growth and therefore confidence across the construction sector.  The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is the UK regulator for construction products and the lead on the delivery of construction products regulation.  The purpose of regulation is to ensure the claimed performance requirements of construction products are met, to enable safer, better buildings across the UK. The establishment of the National Regulator for Construction Products (NRCP) in 2021 marked a pivotal step towards enhancing market surveillance and enforcement. The NRCP operates under the OPSS and is tasked with coordinating responses to safety concerns and taking enforcement action under existing construction product regulations. The Building Safety Act 2022 aimed to increase accountability among manufacturers and those using their products, ensuring those responsible for non-compliance faced appropriate repercussions. The Government has stated that a critical gap lies in the availability and accessibility of product information. CHIC’s Stakeholders, including contractors and members, face challenges when looking to access clear and comprehensive information about the safety performance of construction products from our supply chain. Why it matters to CHIC’s suppliers
The Services, materials and components procured via CHIC will service a considerable proportion of the social housing & asset management repairs, maintenance and development activities and it is therefore essential that all stakeholders are invested and accountable in the responsible sourcing and provision of goods, backed by robust and transparent product performance data. With this Act in place: • Rules could change with very little warning• Trade literature, product information and testing certification could become more detailed and specific.• Environmental data may be needed alongside safety certificates. If you are a CHIC supplier your compliance processes may be under greater scrutiny. As a sector this should be welcomed in order to protect and inform all stakeholders, in the interest of resident safety.  What we need from you now Keep your testing and certificates up to dateMake sure your safety tests, CE or UKCA marks and reports are current and easy to access. We might ask for them with less notice than before.Have your environmental data readyBe ready to share information on recyclability, energy use and efficiency ratings, especially if you work in construction materials, building systems or tech products.Know your own suppliersIf you buy components, check that your suppliers are compliant. If they are not, it creates risks for all of us.Talk to us early if you see an issue comingIf you think a new rule might affect your products, tell us. We can work together on solutions before it becomes a problem.

 

What we will be watching Our Strategic Services and Procurement teams will: • Keep track of government updates and let you know in good time• Update our framework and DPS requirements to match any new rules• Work with you to find alternative products or routes to compliance if needed• Offer advice and training to help you meet new standards Working together
This Act is here to make products safer, better quality and kinder to the environment. That fits with CHIC’s mission to deliver value, safety and social benefit through procurement.If we work together, we can make sure our supply chain is not only compliant but ahead of the game and ready for the opportunities that higher standards will bring If you have questions about how the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 affects your products or our frameworks, please contact your CHIC liaison. CHIC Commitment to Product safety
In the interests of members, their residents and the wider building maintenance and construction sector, CHIC welcomes the Governments regulations.CHIC recognises that the industry presents significant challenges in maintaining transparency and accountability across the supply chain. As well as setting out the proposed reforms, The Construction Products Reform Green Paper 2025 references The Code for Construction Products Information (CCPI) as an example initiative supporting Manufacturers, Merchants and Distributors to comply with anticipated new regulatory requirements. Schemes such as CCPI are set to raise standards in construction product information and marketing and drive positive culture change. The Government recommends the industry should significantly increase its uptake of such schemes and this may be an opportunity for our supply chain to obtain independent 3rd party support in undertaking their due diligence and navigating the expectations of the legislation. 

 

 

 

A Year of Milestones: CCTV Company Secures TEC Accreditation and Industry Recognition

At CCTV Company, we believe that innovation, compliance, and excellence are the cornerstones of building safer communities. This year, we’re proud to share a series of significant achievements that reflect our ongoing commitment to quality and progress - developments that we believe will resonate strongly with CHIC members.

TEC Accreditation: Raising the Bar for Technical Excellence

We are delighted to announce that CCTV Company has successfully secured the prestigious TEC accreditation. This recognition underscores our dedication to delivering high-quality, compliant, and technically robust solutions across the built environment. TEC accreditation is a mark of trust, and it reinforces our position as a reliable partner in the housing and public sector for all your warden call and telecare needs.

Award-Winning Performance: Maggie Punyer “High Achiever of the Year”

Our team’s hard work and dedication were further acknowledged when we received the Maggie Punyer Award for “High Achiever of the Year.” This accolade celebrates not just our operational success, but also our people - whose passion and professionalism continue to drive our mission forward.

CHIC Framework: Fire & Building Safety 2025–2029

We are appointed to the CHIC Fire and Building Safety Framework (2025–2029) under Lot 1: Installation & Replacement and Lot 2: Servicing & Maintenance. This positions us to deliver compliant, efficient building safety works and ongoing maintenance for public sector clients through a streamlined, trusted procurement route.

Looking Ahead: Innovation and Collaboration

As we continue to grow, our focus remains on developing cutting-edge security solutions that meet the evolving needs of the housing sector. From smart surveillance systems to integrated compliance technologies, we’re committed to supporting CHIC members with tools that enhance safety, efficiency, and peace of mind.

We welcome collaboration and look forward to sharing more updates with the CHIC community through CHIC CHAT. For testimonials, case studies, or further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

For more information about The CCTV Company, please contact Holly Peacock, Managing Director at holly@thecctvcompany.com.