Procurement strategy for the Social Housing Development Programme

Note: The following section relates to the Procurement Strategy which operated from 2008 until 2013/14. It is retained for reference as this is under review.

This section outlines the Strategy and how it contains a number of principal objectives which will enable social, economic and environmental return from investment in Social Housing.

Procurement Strategy Objectives

The Department Procurement Strategy for the Social Housing Development Programme was launched in October 2008. Its stated goals are to both improve the social, economic and environmental return from investment in the Social Housing Development Programme and to procure the programme on a value for money basis and in accordance with best practice.

The Strategy contains a number of principal objectives which, it is envisaged, will enable these goals to be realised. These are to:

• meet the Programme for Government target for social and affordable housing (revised)
• achieve a noticeable increase in efficiency, with a minimum target of 10% cost efficiency over the life of the strategy
• achieve targets for environmental performance in line with the Code for Sustainable Homes or the revised Building regulations
• embrace construction best practice

Programme Board Purpose – Terms of Reference

The programme board has an oversight role in relation to the Procurement Strategy and will act in an advisory capacity to the Department. It will:

• monitor progress of implementation of the Social Housing Development Programme and respond to any issues which threaten the achievement of delivery targets
• oversee the implementation of the Procurement Strategy, to ensure the delivery of the Social Housing Development Programme, and its application to wider procurement activities
• oversee the implementation of NI public procurement policy and guidance in so far as it relates to the housing association sector
• represent procurement groups’ interests
• ensure appropriate representation on Procurement Board sub-groups

Procurement practitioners’ sub-group

• to consider and ensure implementation of NI public procurement policy and guidance notes;
• to monitor and report on emerging construction best practice and its implementation, e.g. housing standards, the achieving excellence initiative, and project and programme management
• to monitor and report on efficiency savings achieved
• to develop and pioneer innovative procurement approaches e.g. competitive design and build schemes
• to develop and pioneer collaborative procurement approaches by Housing Associations and procurement groups

SHDP delivery sub group

• to discuss and recommend actions to improve delivery of the SHDP
• to draft an implementation plan for PEDU review of SHDP report recommendations

Ad hoc task groups

• to develop further process improvements as agreed by Board.
• consider reports from Procurement Board sub-groups and make recommendations to the Department to ensure that Procurement Strategy objectives are achieved
• report on procurement specific exercises undertaken and steps taken to ensure procurement professionalism

Membership and meetings of Programme Board

Membership of the Programme Board will be as follows:

• Chair: Department Head of Housing Investment
• NIHE Director of Property Services Division
• NIHE COPE
• representative(s) from each procurement group
• NIFHA
• SIB
• DoF CPD
• Department Head of Housing Finance
• Construction Employers Federation
• other co-opted members as deemed necessary by Procurement Board to provide advice on specific issues

Four Programme Board meetings will be held annually. Sub-groups to meet as required.