SFHA Development Conference speaker interview: Colin Taylor
We spoke with Scotland Excel's Housing Services Manager Colin Taylor ahead of his session at our Development Conference on 15 March. Colin will be discussing continuous improvement regimes.
What will you be discussing at the conference?
I will be providing an overview of the Continuous Improvement Programme for Procurement (CIPP) that most delegates will know better as “PCIP”. Scottish Government now require all RSL’s to participate in a programme of continuous improvement as a condition of grant funding, so it was important that the name for this programme reflected the ethos of the latest process and guidance. I will discuss the programme aims, what will be required from the participants and to provide guidance on how to get ready for the day.
Continuous improvement regimes are now a mandatory requirement of grant for new supply. What does this mean for housing associations??
I passionately believe that this should be seen as an opportunity for housing associations. The sector faces many challenges and the need to achieve compliant procurement solutions that deliver value for money has never been greater. Procurement can be an enabler and the CIPP assessment provides that valuable support to associations by helping to identify savings, develop procurement capability and identify other social, economic and environmental benefits. The CIPP should be embraced as a transformational undertaking that benefits the whole organisation. Output from CIPP can facilitate good practice and highlight areas for further improvement.
What do we need to do more or less of to meet net zero carbon targets in development?
I think Procurement need to show a leadership role in any discussion on net zero carbon targets and help make informed recommendations that the wider team can consider. This can take many forms such as:- writing clear specifications, understanding the marketplace by sourcing and recommending alternative fuel and offsite construction choices. Procurement should use robust contract supplier management to involve the supply chain in building sustainability clauses, minimise logistical movement and consideration for reuse and recycled materials. Procurement can play a part in reporting progress on whole life costs and measuring KPI’s against the targets set by the organisation.
SFHA Development Conference
15 March, Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow