Local procurement supported by GHA (19/5/21)
Preparation of our annual procurement report highlights that over 85% of the Association's annual procurement spend during 2020/21 went to local suppliers and contractors in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
This is a positive outcome for businesses in the area and a boost for the economy in the North East. Of the remaining spend the most significant amounts were for national companies/consultants/software providers where local options are more limited.
The Association encourages potential suppliers and contractors to register with Public Contracts Scotland (PCS) and to take part in the Supplier Development Programme to ensure they are fully aware of contract requirements and they are supported to submit the best possible tender.
Demonstrating our commitment to ensuring that procurement is transparent, the objective is to use PCS for all regulated and non-regulated contracts each financial year.
Last year the Association’s procurement was the subject of an internal audit exercise. Among the recommendations implemented were the inclusion of a Modern Slavery Statement in our Procurement Strategy and Policy and work with existing and prospective suppliers and contractors with a view to ensuring that the real living wage is paid to all their employees. Training was also provided to the Leadership Team to ensure a consistent approach for procurement is embedded throughout the organisation.
Since March 2015, the SFHA has worked in collaboration with the Scottish Procurement Alliance to deliver a procurement advisory service for RSLs across Scotland. This followed the introduction of the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 which resulted in major changes in public procurement. This has had a significant impact on how housing associations conduct their procurement activity. The Association is also open to exchanging good practice with local authorities and local housing associations.
We advertise all tender opportunities on Public Contracts Scotland (PCS). PCS is the national advertising portal for the Scottish public sector to advertise contract opportunities and public contract awards. We encourage all prospective suppliers and contractors to register with PCS to receive notifications of relevant tendering opportunities.
In line with the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 we publish details of all regulated procurement contracts. Information on our notices and contract awards can be found at:
Offices closed: 2 April 2021 (Good Friday)
To report an EMERGENCY REPAIR (e.g. significant leak or total loss of power) please call 0300 123 9279. Gas heating repairs should be reported direct to Heatcare Oil & Gas (T: 01343 842042). All non-emergency repairs should be reported when the office re-opens at 9am on Monday 5 April 2021. Happy Easter!
Rent Freeze Announced for 2021/22 by Grampian Housing Association
Tenants will have their rents frozen for the next year following the decision of the Association’s Board not to apply a rent increase on the 1 April 2021.
It is hoped that the announcement will bring some much needed relief to the many tenants who have suffered financially because of Covid-19.
This freeze will also apply to service charges and owners’ management fees. Tenants and other customers will be advised by letter in the coming weeks.
Dr Abhishek Agarwal, chairman said:- “As required of the Association and in keeping with our commitment to engagement, last November we consulted tenants on the rent increase and at that time the majority opted for a 0.7% increase for 2021/22.
“We appreciate the feedback and comments from all tenants who participated. However since then, the Board has reflected on the continuing adverse affect of Covid-19 and the challenges of further lockdown restrictions for tenants and other customers.
“The Board was already mindful that when our tenants were surveyed during the first lockdown, just over half reported they had experienced a negative financial impact. So when the second lockdown was announced it was acutely clear to us that the full financial impact had yet to be felt and the coming year will be another very difficult one for many households.”
Throughout the pandemic the Association has undertaken extensive work to support its tenants. This has included telephone check-ins with vulnerable tenants as well as providing practical assistance and access to its tenancy sustainment services which offer free money and debt advice, housing support and energy advice. A new tenant welfare fund and a new energy crisis fund have also been set up to support tenants in financial hardship to buy essentials and heat their homes.
Neil Clapperton, chief executive said:- “We are determined to do all we can to support our tenants and customers where it is possible for us to do so, ensuring that tenants can continue in the knowledge that we will keep our commitment to improving their homes, reducing fuel poverty and continuing with our current new build programme to address housing need.
“Due to the continued uncertainty over the economic impact of the pandemic, Board members have tasked us with reviewing our business plan proposals.
“We are fortunate in that we have been taking action since 2018 to make efficiencies. These have already made a positive contribution to our financial health and will continue to do so as change progresses.”
Grampian Housing Association 'STAY PUT' Policy
GHA operate a “STAY PUT” policy in our socially rented properties, therefore we are in the process of removing our communal smoke detection from these properties and will be applying the appropriate signage for tenants to refer to.
Please follow the guidance and stay safe. A Stay Put Policy allows residents to remain in their own property in relative safety in the event of a fire in another flat/area of the building, and do not usually require an alarm warning to be sounded other than in the flat of the fire's origin.
To see the Fire Action Stay Put Sign click here.
Tenants in Huntly & Keith can now start using gas again
From SGN
Wednesday 3 February – 12.15pm update
We’ve now resolved the issue with our network, which impacted gas supplies to Huntly and Keith yesterday. Residents in Huntly and Keith can now start using gas again.
Click on the link and follow the seven steps (in order) to safely turn on your gas supply at the meter.
Having difficulties? Call SGN for help on 0800 912 1717.
