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Established 2002 - Now in our 22nd Year
Woking work
A word from Peter Bird, proprietor at Primary Business Support
"The Coronavirus has encouraged us to adopt new ways of working that might have seemed alien just a few years ago.
Remote working has increased the cost effectiveness of consultancy as travel costs and time can be removed from cost proposals, ensuring costs are more focussed on the consultancy itself. Discussions that may have taken half a day, including travel time, can now be concluded in much shorter time periods thanks to the removal of the non-productive overheads.
In our current work we are continuing to work with housing organisations assisting them to achieve compliance, increase value for money and manage their businesses in an effective manner.
We recently started a new contract, working with HOUSING dynamics, assisting a housing association in the review of its contract procurement and management arrangements. This builds on the skills and experience that we have developed in the procurement of contracts through a variety of means, with a range of housing providers, covering diverse subject areas."
Our recent work
We have now completed our work with Woking BC on the procurement of technical asset management contracts following the bringing back in-house its management and maintenance functions (see below for further details). Further work may arise in the future but for now we have assisted Woking in the procurement of seven key asset management contracts. These have been procured through open, restricted, framework and DPS processes.
For a rural housing association based in the south, we have undertaken a review of documentation for CDM purposes and the integration of a coherent set of documents to ensure compliance, best practice and ease of use. This is linked to a review of a contractors' code of practice and arrangements for an approved contractors scheme for low cost works and services.
We have also recently completed working with housing associations undertaking transfer of engagements, this follows our work in this area on numerous previous occasions.
Working with HOUSING dynamics, Richard Medley’s company, we have undertaken a review of the process for applications for funding of new developments in the Irish Republic. This involved a series of interviews with Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) looking at the various elements of applications in a review of existing arrangements. Through careful analysis and an understanding of the driving requirements we have made recommendations to the Housing Agency for improvements to the process We have worked with the Agency and AHBs in a pilot exercise, testing these proposals and the Agency is working towards the rollout in the coming months.
Increasingly, we are working in the social housing sector in the procurement of contracts along with the underlying requirements for well written specifications, S20 consultation and performance management. We have just completed a call off from a pre-existing framework agreement for English Rural Housing Association's heating servicing requirements.
Our major piece of work with Woking Borough Council has been involved with the asset management side of the business as it has brought its housing management and maintenance services in-house. In addition to providing general procurement advice we have supported them in the selection and appointment of new responsive repairs, estate cleaning, disabled adaptations, electrical services, water hygiene, and kitchen and bathroom contractors through compliant procurement processes.
Work with smaller housing associations has included the production of a guidance manual for S20 consultations across all the permutations for works, long term agreements, above and below the procurement thresholds for public works. This includes flow charts, templates and good practice, whilst acknowledging the excellent resources available elsewhere.
If you think we can help you to spend your money wisely and effectively do get in touch – we’re only a call away!
You contact us by telephone or email and we can meet through Teams or Zoom.
Peter Bird FCIH FCMI
About Primary Business Support
PBS is a small social housing consultancy able to offer you a personal service tailored to your needs. With over 25 years working for local authorities and housing associations and over nineteen years working as a social housing consultant I am able to provide you with bespoke consultancy and project management. A network of like-minded independent consultants also enables me to work collaboratively to extend the services that I can offer you.
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Client Comment:
PBS are very thorough, reliable and knowledgeable in all guidance and support given. We received regular updates throughout the project, Peter was available to contact to answer any questions and his advice was invaluable.
Kathryn Harrison, Resident Services Director, English Rural Housing Association, July 2022, following a successful contract appointment for gas servicing under an existing framework agreement.
Remote working
Thanks to our investment in technology we are able to provide consultancy services through the use of conference calls, video calls, file sharing and, of course, telephone calls and email. We use email or Microsoft Teams for the exchange and sharing of documents and other files and use Teams or Zoom for on-line conferencing, depending on the client's preference.
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