Technical services notes - Community Housing Cymru

Technical Services Forum
held on Friday 16th May 2014
at the MRC, Llandrindod Wells
notes
Attendance
Morning
Paul Davies – Bro Myrddin HA
Ian Atkinson – Monmouthshire
HA
Ian Parry – Bron Afon
Community Housing
Howard Bolderson – Bron
Afon Housing Association
Andrew Thomas - Coastal
Stephen Yancek – Coastal
Bryn Davies – Grwp Cynefin
Wyn Rowlands – Grwp
Cynefin
Darrel Powell – Cynon Taf HA
Stephen Graham – Derwen
Nigel Hawkins – Family
Housing
Phil Hoskins – Mid Wales
Housing
Ian Hamer - Hafod
Neil Lewis - Rhondda HA
Jonathan Rees – Rhondda HA
Derry Probert – Melin Homes
Gary Colston – Merthyr Valley
Homes
Richard Grant – Mid Wales HA
Robert Dearden – Mid Wales
HA
Sian Howells – Mid Wales HA
Nigel Sinnett – Pembrokeshire
HA
Gareth Davies – United Welsh
Luke Mitchell – United Welsh
Tomos Davies – Community
Housing Cymru
Dr John Littlewood – on behalf
of United Welsh
Yvonne Way - Alabare
Philip Johnson – Altair
David J Rowlands – Anglesey
CC
Colin Blackmore – Cardiff CC
Tony Jones – Flintshire CBC
Tony Jones – Flintshire CC
Nik Evans – Flintshire CC
Daniel Parry – Gwynedd CC
Tom McEwen – Newport City
Homes
Nigel – Powys CC
Rob Lucas – Vale of
Glamorgan CBC
Paul Davies – Welsh
Government
Afternoon
Michael Williams – Wrexham
CC
Andrew Knill - Monmouthshire
HA
Andrew Smith – Valleys to
Coast
James Eades - Gwalia
Nick Cremola – Newydd
Apologies
Morning
Andrew Mouncher – First Choice
Rod Keeble – RCT Homes
Afternoon
Keith Davies – Carmarthenshire CC
Matters arising /action from the last meeting:
No matters arising from last meeting.
Development Quality Requirements (DQR)
Gareth Davies, representing the DQR Review group gave a brief update on the
developments of the DQR review.
The first draft report into the Review of the DQR is with Carl Sargeant, Minister
for Housing and Regeneration. It is possible that there will be a more detailed
cost exercise undertaken to assess the impact of delivering to DQR. However,
the detail of this has not yet been determined. It seems unlikely that DQR is
going to change significantly. The draft report is likely to be published mid June
2014.
There was group discussion on forum members’ views on DQR.
Action:
Forum members to send any evidence of cost base between a ‘sale’ built home
and a DQR home to either Gareth Davies or Tomos Davies.
Building Performance Evaluation – A Welsh Case Study
Dr John Littlewood on behalf of United Welsh gave a presentation on United
Welsh’s Abertiridwr Monitoring Project.
Dr Littlewood provided an overview of the Abertridwr Monitoring Project which is
funded by United Welsh and the Technology Strategy Board.
The monitoring project analysed the ASHP quality in a code 4 timber frame
constructed properties and traditional code 3 block construction. The project
analysed the energy use, overheating issues and carbon emissions of each type
of property.
The project analysed the tenant ability to self maintain an ASHP system and
issues with ASHP heat loss. Dr Littlewood provided an overview of problems with
ASHP heat loss and how he resolved these issues.
Dr John Littlewood’s presentation will be sent out with the notes.
Alabare – Welsh Homes for Veterans
Yvonne Way, Property Manager at Alabare gave a talk on Alabare, a charity that
supports people to overcome the barriers to homelessness.
Alabare provides housing and support to ex-Service personnel who are
homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless. It has a number of homes across
England and wishes to expand and offer its services to ex servicemen and
women in Wales. It has received received funding through the UK Government’s
Libor Fund and are looking to expand its Homes for Veterans programme into
three defined areas in Wales; Pontypridd and Cardiff, Carmarthen and Swansea,
and North Wales.
Here is a link to their Homes for Veterans programme in Wales:
http://www.alabare.co.uk/home/wales-homes-for-veterans/veterans
Action:
Alabare has had some difficulty in acquiring properties in its defined areas in
Wales and are looking for support from RSLs and other agencies working within
these areas to identify suitable properties.
Alabare are looking to work and consult with RSL to identify suitable homes,
areas that need support and advice on suitable areas to home veterans.
If you have any advice on suitable HA properties or areas, please e-mail Yvonne
Way, Property Manager at Alabare.
Breakout session 1
Welsh Housing Quality Standard – Philip Johnson (Altair) and Paul Davies
(Welsh Government)
Phillip Johnson of Altair and Paul Davies from the Welsh Government
disseminated the recent Altair research: WHQS – Verification of progress in
achieving the Standard.
Recommendations
1. WHQS Compliance Policy
Due to the interpretative nature of the guidance the report recommends that the
Welsh Government requires each landlord to produce a WHQS Compliance
Policy which contains a brief specification that accurately expresses and clarifies
their interpretation of the WHQS Guidance.
2. Community benefits and financial investment
It recommends that that Welsh Government considers adopting the overall
investment per property suggestion as part of the WHQS Compliance Policy.
3. Primary and secondary information
The report recommends that the Welsh Government reminds all landlords of the
necessity of collecting both primary and secondary information.
4. Independent verification
The report recommends that the Welsh Government consults with the sector
over the agreed definition of ‘independent verification’ followed by the provision
of clear guidance.
5. Writing to tenants
The report recommends that landlords should not have to write to all tenants
annually to confirm their property specific WHQS status.
6. Meeting and maintaining WHQS
The report recommends that the Welsh Government undertakes a separate
discussion with landlords who have met WHQS over monitoring requirements
once the standard has been met initially.
Timescale and next steps
Proposals for the Compliance Strategy and other recommendations will be sent
to Carl Sargeant, Minister for Housing and Regeneration for consideration.
The Minister will decide on next steps based on Welsh Government officials’
advice and considerations in the next 6 months.
Welsh Housing Quality Standard: Verification of progress in achieving the
Standard – Full Report
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/caecd/research/2014/140513-welsh-housing-qualitystandard-verification-progress-achieving-standard-en.pdf
Welsh Housing Quality Standard: Verification of progress in achieving the
Standard – Summary Report
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/caecd/research/2014/140513-welsh-housing-qualitystandard-verification-progress-achieving-standard-summary-en.pdf
Breakout session 2
Secured by Design – Mike Harvey
Mike Harvey, Crime Prevention Advisor at South Wales Police presented on
Secured by Design.
Secured by Design colleagues meet every 3 months in the new police station in
Llandrindod Wells.
He argued that there was a need for consistency from DQR review group.
Mike Harvey delivered presentation about why design out crime?
crime is key element within sustainability.
reduces crime, our communities feel safe and more secure.
an aid to social cohesiveness.
cost effective.
increased quality of life.
proven and effective.
Mike referred to visit to housing estates in Swansea showing pre-SBD compared
to post- SBD design. The cost is £170 per new build unit.
Mike Harvey explained that good effective Secured by Design included:
Surveillance
Boundaries
Landscaping
Lighting
Access: permeability and connectivity. Don't provide rat runs.
Car Parking
Mike’s presentation also showed good and bad examples of estate layouts.
Mike held a discussion on roles and administrating Secured by Design.
Consultation on 10 properties or more is necessary and early involvement is
essential; pre-planning is preferable. Site inspections carried out now. It is
impossible to check every property.
PAS24: 2012 for all doors and windows.
Mike Harvey is to provide details of BM Trada.
Action: Mike Harvey to send details of BM Trada.
Secured by Design website has list of companies approved for relevant products.
For further information on Secured by Design and the presentation, please
contact Mike Harvey by telephone, 07815 953 028 or email at Mike Harvey
Here is a link to Secured by Design website:
http://www.securedbydesign.com/index.aspx
Update on EU Energy Efficiency Funding Activity and National Assembly
for Wales inquiry into energy efficiency and fuel poverty
ERDF bid
Tomos Davies gave an overview of the work he had been doing to develop an
EU ERDF Energy efficiency bid on behalf of CHC members and HAs in Wales.
He has held a number of meetings with potential partners, analysed gaps in
energy efficiency and potential role for HAs in Wales to lead an energy efficiency
scheme in Wales.
He discussed an idea to develop an ERDF project that will target an area
alongside the community hubs model – targeting specific communities who have
yet to fully benefit from energy efficiency and renewable schemes. The project
will utilise the skills and experience of RSLs in Wales to improve the energy
behavioural skills of households and engage with the long term unemployed or
NEETS within the community hub. It would also use local installers and
businesses to install the energy efficiency measures and create long term
employment, training and apprentiships.
The new ERDF funding provides a great opportunity for HAs in Wales to benefit
from European funding and secure funding to develop and take control of its own
energy efficiency schemes, improve its housing stock and remove tenants from
fuel poverty. If you have any views on the above idea or wish to discuss ERDF
funding further please e-mail Tomos Davies.
Horizon 2020
CHC Group is considering developing a Horizon 2020 bid with partners across
Europe. Horizon 2020 is a research fund. CHC group are considering developing
a bid with partners for either:
EE-05-2015: Increasing energy performance of existing buildings through
process and organisation innovations and creating a market for deep renovation
EE-10-2015: Consumer engagement for sustainable energy.
National Assembly for Wales’ Committee Inquiry into energy efficiency and fuel
poverty
The National Assembly for Wales’ Environment and Sustainability Committee is
undertaking an inquiry into Energy Efficiency and Fuel Poverty in Wales.
They are specifically looking into:
To examine progress towards meeting the Welsh Government’s statutory targets
for eradicating fuel poverty in Wales by 2018.
To consider the impact of the Welsh Government’s existing energy efficiency
programmes (Nest and Arbed) and UK Government initiatives such as the Green
Deal.
To review the implementation to date by the major energy suppliers of the
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and other measures to alleviate fuel poverty
in Wales.
If you have any useful information to provide as evidence on fuel poverty, Arbed
and ECO, please e-mail Tomos Davies by the 6th June 2014.
Any Other Information
Lee Picket highlighted discussions he has been having with Dwr Cymru in
relation to Section 104 and 9. As a result of discussions raised, Dwr Cymru will
be hosting a Developer Services Housing Association Forum at Llandrindod
Wells on the 25 June 2014.
The Developer Services team at Dwr Cymru is looking to improve relationships
with Housing Associations in general. They wish to discuss the processes
needed when building new developments and share information, for example
legislation changes specifically related to developments.
If this first forum is a success, Dwr Cymru would probably be looking to hold
them a couple of times a year.
If you haven’t registered and are interested in attending, please e-mail Andrea
Law at Dwr Cymru.
Date of Next Meeting – Friday 26th September 2014

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