TECS user forum at the CIH Conference and Exhibition 2017

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One of the benefits of being our member is the opportunity to network with other members, discuss solutions to common problems, and share good practice. We are pleased to be able to provide one more networking opportunity for our members.

We will be hosting a Technology Enabled Care Services User Forum especially for those members who have contracts with Tunstall Healthcare UK under the TECS framework, on the first day of the CIH Conference and Exhibition, Tuesday, 27th June. The forums will take place within the main conference building (Manchester Central), so it is a great opportunity for attendees to visit the exhibition too.

The TECS User Forum will allow members who use our framework for Technology Enabled Care Services (previously Assisted Living framework) to come along and join the conversation – as well as to hear from suppliers about the latest developments in telecare and telehealth.

If you’d like to find out what other frameworks we offer as part of our portfolio, please visit us at our stand C40 and have a chat with us.

For further details, please contact Nicola Benson, Procurement Support Officer on nicola.benson@consortiumprocurement.org.uk

NHC Submits Consultation Response to Housing White Paper

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The Northern Housing Consortium has submitted its official response to the UK Government’s recent Housing White Paper. We welcome the opportunity to engage with government to support the development of an effective housing strategy that works for all localities across England.

In shaping our response to the White Paper, we held a series of member engagement roundtables and were pleased to host the Housing Minister in Gateshead. Our response has also been driven by the ongoing work of the Commission for Housing in the North.

We recognise that this White Paper is focused on housing supply and it was never intended to be a White Paper that would capture the wider holistic role that housing can play in shaping communities, improving life chances – including health and well-being. Our responses to the White Paper consultation focuses on supply. However, we feel strongly that the White Paper should have given more consideration to the importance of existing stock and the role that regeneration can play in supporting the supply of the right homes in the right places.

Notwithstanding the omission of regeneration in the White Paper, NHC members broadly welcomed the White Paper as it demonstrated a good analysis of the challenges facing housing supply and has made useful steps towards developing some solutions.

Read our full submission here.

New Tenants’ Contents Insurance Landlord Portal Now Live

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We are delighted to announce that alongside our new framework for Tenants Contents Insurance (TCI), a brand new online portal is now available to all members who access the framework.

This unique knowledge sharing online portal provides all the advice landlords need to grow their scheme and avoid common risk. The portal was developed to complement the updated Tenants Contents Insurance framework and can be used by members to share best practice, download materials and receive regular updates.

The portal includes materials such as marketing initiatives, products, ideas and innovations and provides landlords with an array of tools and advice, with everything they need to grow their scheme at their fingertips.

The portal features a ‘News’ section where visitors are able to find up-to-date information on the latest insurance, housing and procurement insights as well as relevant news articles and links. Answers to commonly asked questions and queries will be provided and explained within the ‘FAQs’ section in a bid to support our members in the day-to-day utilising of the framework. Visitors will also be able to view recent case studies provided by members who have had positive experience of utilising the scheme and to get insight into what members value the most about the TCI service.

Rachel Wheeler, Senior Procurement and Contracts Officer at Consortium Procurement said: “We believe that the portal will act as a platform for landlords to network virtually, to share their experiences of using the framework and best practice as well as to share and receive relevant updates. The portal will add on to what is an extremely successful and popular framework within our membership and we hope that the improved SIMPLE Tenants’ Contents Insurance framework will appeal to members even more.”

Please click on the link to access the new landlord portal: https://www.rsalandlordforum.co.uk/home/index/

If you’d like to receive more information on both the new portal and the new SIMPLE Tenants Contents Insurance framework, please get in touch on 0191 566 1000 or email us at solutions@consortiumprocurement.org.uk 

Our new Framework for SIMPLE Tenants’ Contents Insurance is Now Live

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We are delighted to be able to say that one more of our fully EU compliant frameworks has been reviewed and updated and is now available for members to access.

Due to the success of the expired previous framework, we have established a new and improved framework which is available until 2021. The appointed supply partner RSA Group ensures the continued provision of Consortium Procurement’s SIMPLE Tenants Contents Insurance (TCI) to our members and their tenants. We have taken into account all the feedback we have received from our members and their tenants and have incorporated it into the new framework, making it even more appealing to members.

Based on research we have conducted as part of the re-development process, we have found that a large percentage of tenants do not insure their home contents because they often find cover expensive. Under the new SIMPLE TCI framework, we have secured low premiums, and cover is available from £0,54 p per week. In addition, we now insure lower sums starting from £4,000 in a bid to encourage younger people to be more protective of their home contents and to uphold best practice.

What is more, under the updated scheme, tenants have the flexibility to pay weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and annually by four means: payment card, payment app, direct debit and cheque. One of the most important aspects of the development of the new framework was to ensure that every route for payment is covered in order to provide users with the flexibility they require. We are excited that we are now able to maximise customer experience by offering tenants on the scheme a new modern and easy way of paying their premium securely via smart phone app.

We also realise that an insurance scheme is just one of many things a landlord needs to administer. To make it as easy as possible to run the scheme, we offer a help and advice service specifically for landlords. This includes our partner RSA’s Landlord Handling Instructions, a step-by-step guide covering everything from what to do if there’s an issue with an application form, taking care of renewals or how premiums should be paid. This personal service sets us apart from our competitors and offers a huge benefit for the landlord.
Another added benefit of using the scheme is that the application process is simple and hassle-free and can be done over the phone or online.

We are also developing an online portal to allow landlords to share their knowledge and best practices. The portal is currently in the final stages of testing with our membership and will be available shortly for all landlords accessing the new SIMPLE TCI scheme.

The Tenants Contents Insurance scheme was originally designed in 1998 and has undergone significant periods of growth since that time. The scheme has proven very successful and popular with our members and their tenants and is currently accessed by 79 member organisations across the UK.

If you’d like to receive more information on the new SIMPLE Tenants Contents Insurance framework or if you’d like to be provided with an application form, please get in touch with us on 0191 566 1000 or email us at solutions@consortiumprocurement.org.uk

Join us at our Drinks Reception at CIH Conference 2017

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We are delighted to invite you to our drinks reception which we will be hosting on our stand C40 (the Village) at the CIH Conference and Exhibition 2017.

The drinks reception, which has now become a traditional way of finishing the first day of the biggest housing event in Europe, will start at 4pm on Tuesday, 27th June. All members, partners and friends of the Consortium are welcome to attend and make the most out of this fantastic networking opportunity. Every year for the last six years, the Village has provided a great ‘hub’ to attract large numbers of our members as well as other professionals from the housing world who attend the CIH conference every year.

The drinks reception is well-attended by exhibitors within the Village, other oranisations exhibiting at the conference, members of the Consortium as well as external delegates.

The team would like to thank Retinue Solutions who will be sponsoring this year’s reception.

For further details, please email lynda.redshaw@northern-consortium.org.uk or ring 0191 566 1017

Visit the Village at this year’s CIH Conference and Exhibition

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We are pleased to invite members to visit us at our Consortium Procurement Village at this year’s Chartered Institute of Housing’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Manchester (27th – 29th June 2017). The event, held in Manchester Central has been a huge success with exhibitors, visitors and delegates.

 

For the past six years, Consortium Procurement has taken an exhibition stand large enough to accommodate 24 framework partners, and found that it provided an excellent networking platform, and was also extremely positive in generating leads and contacts for Consortium Procurement.   Due to the tremendous success of the Village we have worked again with the event organisers Ocean Media to design what we believe is an unparalleled marketing opportunity for our framework partners and members visiting us for 2017.

The Village provides a great ‘hub’ to attract large numbers of our members who attend the CIH conference every year so why not come along and benefit from this fantastic networking opportunity.

If you would like to receive more information about the Village 2017, please email lynda.redshaw@northern-consortium.org.uk or ring 0191 566 1017

NHC Releases Budget 2017 On-the-Day Briefing

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With the recent publication of the Housing White Paper, the Budget was slim on changes to housing policy. That said, Phillip Hammond’s first – and last – Spring Budget contained significant new commitments including £2bn for social care over the next three years, changes in National Insurance Contributions for the self-employed, and new initiatives on education and skills.

Read the NHC’s full on-the-day briefing here.

The Chancellor’s announcement that Government will press ahead with recommendations made by Lord Sainsbury on T Levels represents a huge change in government policy on education and skills. This, combined with the Government’s drive to increase apprenticeships, represents a new and growing focus.

One of the biggest takeaways from the Budget is that the Government are prioritising White and Green Papers on issues including social care, consumer rights and tax simplification. This would suggest a blockbuster Autumn Budget 2017 for which, naturally, the NHC will be preparing an on-the-day briefing.

NHC Publishes Third Universal Credit Impact Report

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Today sees the release of the Northern Housing Consortium’s Impact of Universal Credit Round 3 report. This is the third in a series of four reports and builds upon the results of the first two, covering the period March-July (all three of which can be accessed from the NHC’s website here). The research investigates how the implementation and continuing rollout of Universal Credit is affecting housing organisations in the north.

We are now able to collect trend data and comparisons are made in this latest report with the findings of the previous reports. The latest report also draws comparisons between the full survey results with the returned data from North West respondents to ascertain whether having worked with the Universal Credit system longer has an effect on respondents’ experiences of the system. Some of the key findings from the Round 3 report are:

  • More than one-fifth of respondents said that tenants had terminated their own tenancy as a direct as a direct result of UC.
  • Almost all of the responding organisations are having to step in and assist tenants with the cost of living.
  • Half of organisations have introduced credit reference checks to prospective tenants as a result of UC implementation – double the figure in Round 2.
  • There is a move to debiting tenants’ rent accounts in arrears as 90.6% of those that debit accounts in advance have experienced problems.

We continue to use findings from the research to engage with the Department of Work and Pensions officials through NHC’s roundtable programme to raise members’ concerns and experiences of procedural issues and we will work with DWP to make the new system as smooth as possible.

The final round of the survey will be announced in the NHC eZine but there is also a dedicated contact list for anyone interested in taking part in the project. To ensure you are able to participate, please contact Business Intelligence Officer Barry Turnbull at barry.turnbull@northern-consortium.org.uk.

NHC Hosts Gavin Barwell White Paper Q&A

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The Housing and Planning Minister, Gavin Barwell, visited Gateshead on Thursday, February 23rd as part of a Housing White Paper Q&A Roadshow. The NHC hosted the Gateshead stop of the nine-location tour where Mr Barwell met with NHC members, developers, councillors and other experts to discuss efforts to ‘fix the broken housing market’.

Speaking to a packed audience  at The Sage, the Minister highlighted the four key aspects of the White Paper and specifically referenced the importance of the work of the NHC Commission for Housing in the North, speaking repeatedly about the challenge of setting national policy for diverse regional housing markets and the importance of a place-based approach.

Representatives from a broad range of organisations then questioned Mr Barwell on issues from the continuing challenge of regeneration, to streamlining planning, to rent certainty after 2020.

The issue of land banking came up in several questions and the Minister reiterated the White Paper’s commitment to not only publish registers of who owned land but also of what options were held on land.

One of the major recurring topics was the proposed Local Housing Allowance (LHA) cap and its impact on supported housing and high rise properties in particular. Attendees expressed concern that the LHA cap was too blunt an instrument to use when rates vary so hugely across the country. The Minister acknowledged that the very term ‘supported housing’ actually covers a broad range of housing offers and  indicated that supported housing providers potentially “hold the whip hand” on the issue as the Minister wants them to build and will thus be open to their suggestions for change.

One delegate brought up the question of how the industrial strategy links with the White Paper, adding that there are increasing numbers of businesses wishing to relocate to their local area that saw the available housing offer as an obstacle. Mr Barwell was keen to encourage creativity in bids from local authorities noting that the Government has vast powers to alter or suspend planning obligations which could boost housing supply.

The Minster also answered questions on housing density and the Nationally Described Space Standard, particularly concerns from some in the room that it would see a return to cramped homes. The Minister responded that the reason the Government were looking at the National Described Space Standard was to boost home ownership among those – especially in London or other large urban areas – who do not require a great deal of space. He reiterated that there would be ‘no race to the bottom’ on space standards and noted the work undertaken by Pocket Living in London around smaller, more affordable apartments for first time buyers.

Commenting on the roadshow, Mr Barwell said “We’ve set out lasting reforms that will get more of the right homes built in the right places.  But the challenge of increasing supply cannot be met by government alone. That’s why I’m visiting different parts of the country, listening to views from experts across the housing industry and discussing how we can work together to fix our broken housing market.”

PRESS RELEASE: NHC Releases On-the-Day Housing White Paper Briefing

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The 2017 Housing White Paper

Today saw the publication of the long awaited, much trailed Housing White Paper.  Announced by Sajid Javid, Secretary of State as

“ambitious proposals to help fix the housing market so that more ordinary working people from across the country can have the security of a decent place to live”

Read the NHC’s full on-the-day White Paper briefing here.

The White Paper acknowledges the scale of the housing crisis facing the country and recognises the fact that governments of all persuasions have not been able to sufficiently ramp up house building to meet with the backlog of under supply and projected future need. The Government’s White Paper aims to change this but the discussions in advance were focused on whether the proposals set out today are the catalyst needed or is the housing industry the proverbial slow turning oil tanker?

The White Paper sets out a series of recommendations addressing common approaches to planning for housing need, barriers in the planning process, support for Local Authorities in speeding up delivery of new homes, and the need to bring new entrants to the market place. Underneath the headlines there is a significant amount of detailed policy proposals that the Northern Housing Consortium welcomes.

The White Paper also rebalances policy focus away from home ownership and acknowledges the need to ensure the rental market is operating efficiently providing good quality secure accommodation for those who choose to rent.

The NHC is pleased that we have this Housing White Paper. It is a mature acknowledgement of the benefits that a shared approach to policy development can bring. We will work with the Government and our members to support this White Paper and work collaboratively to help refine and improve where we believe policy initiatives need further consideration.

The NHC has worked with members and sector experts to deliver the Commission for Housing in the North and we are pleased that the White Paper reinforces messages from the Commission such as consideration of wider tenure issues, the need to ensure quality across the rental sector, and capacity support for local authorities to ensure the right housing is delivered in the right place. The White Paper is not unsurprisingly light on issues around regeneration but we call upon the Government to ensure the Northern Powerhouse Strategy – released alongside the Autumn Statement – picks up this mantle to ensure that housing and regeneration are recognised as tools to support the economic renaissance of the North.

The NHC looks forward to working with members and government on our detailed response to the White Paper and more details on our forthcoming member engagement roundtables are available on our website www.northern-consortium.org.uk

 

For further information please contact Member Engagement Manager, Callum Smith, on 0191 566 1029 or email callum.smith@northern-consortium.org.uk