1  Overview

1.1  Purpose

1.1.1 This chapter sets out Requirements on issues of procurement and scheme delivery.

1.2 Context

1.2.1 The Homes and Communities Agency is constantly striving for more efficient and effective ways of procuring social housing.  To this end, we have developed, adopted and published a Procurement Strategy and now require RSL's to provide Annual Efficiency Statements. 

1.2.2  “Improving efficiency” is another way of saying “getting better value”.  This can be achieved in a number of ways (more dwellings of the same quality for the same cost, the same number of dwellings at a higher quality for the same cost, and many other permutations involving numbers, cost, quality and time).  In all this, the quality of the dwellings is important, and so the Agency encourages RSLs to pursue design excellence through the use of influential Design Champions.

1.2.3  One way in which the Agency can increase its efficiency is if housing providers increase their cost efficiency, and therefore reduce their need for Grant or Other Public Subsidy.  The Agency therefore values cost-efficient providers as well as those who maintain quality.

1.2.4  RSL's are expected to strive constantly to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in delivering affordable housing.