SCAPE, the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority, has become a member of the Good Homes Alliance (GHA), making it the UK’s first framework provider to join the Alliance. The GHA aims to promote the building of quality sustainable homes that enhance the communities they are part of through a
SCAPE – the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority – has announced the winners of its £1bn Consultancy frameworks today (Friday 18th 2020). Together, the new suite of frameworks is designed to help the public sector achieve better project outcomes, from individual assets through to major town and city centre
New SCAPE research finds just one in five people believe developers will deliver on their commitments to improving local communities Half of UK residents can’t think of a local construction project that has had a positive impact on their community Insight features in new report on the evolution of social value by the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority The property industry must do more
Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has completed works on an innovative modular housing scheme in Grantham, which is the first of its kind in the region. Delivered for South Kesteven District Council, through the Scape Regional Construction framework, the scheme comprises two modular housing developments valued at a total of
Leading procurement organisation, Scape Group is upping the value of its national construction framework from £5.5bn to a whopping £7bn, a boost which will see the body’s framework become the country’s most valuable procurement framework. The rise has been planned for a while; notice was published by Scape in the
BDC 321 : Oct 2024
SCAPE, the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority, has become a member of the Good Homes Alliance (GHA), making it the UK’s first framework provider to join the Alliance. The GHA aims to promote the building of quality sustainable homes that enhance the communities they are part of through a range of social, economic and environmental benefits. As a member of the Alliance, SCAPE will collaborate with more than 80 organisations – ranging from industry contractors and suppliers to local authorities and universities – to support the aim of net-zero emissions homes along with higher standards in comfort and health for occupants. The GHA has an ever-growing Vanguard Network of forward-thinking local authorities and has recently launched a new Pathfinder Network for housing associations. Members of the GHA – such as Pollard Thomas Edwards, Hoare Lea and Bioregional – are driving innovation and improving standards across the housing sector, including actively supporting progress towards the government’s 2050 Net Zero carbon target. To aid that, the GHA is supporting the Building for 2050 research project, funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which aims to inform UK policy on delivering low carbon homes in England and Wales. SCAPE champions the development of sustainable low carbon homes through its procurement frameworks for public sector projects and has recently published its own comprehensive environmental policy – alongside recommended environmental standards for projects – approved by the UK Green Building Council. The policy sets out a range of objectives that will match the environmental objectives of our most ambitious clients. Featuring in its recently published Social Value: More Than Metricsresearch report, SCAPE has also outlined a series of recommendations to encourage sustainable development across the UK. Mark Robinson, group chief executive of SCAPE, said: “If the past year has taught us anything, it’s that collaboration is essential to driving meaningful and impactful change. As a collective of the private and public sector’s most forward-thinking organisations, the GHA is spearheading the effort to create exemplary homes that set a benchmark for sustainability – not just in the UK, but across the world. The Alliance’s work is vital to developing the homes that we need to live in a greener world. “We currently work very closely with our delivery partners to improve project standards and ensure that benchmarks are not only met but surpassed, so we know that outstanding things happen when we pool knowledge, resources and commitment to the same cause. By joining the GHA, I’m confident that we can achieve more together as we actively contribute to its work for championing change and best practice and generating the sustainable outcomes that local communities deserve.” The GHA is led by a board that includes council representatives, sustainable design experts and architects. The Alliance operates within four key themes to embed sustainability into the mainstream: exploring alternative housing models that address the housing crisis; introducing measures that improve people’s health & wellbeing in homes; identifying techniques to support carbon neutral and carbon positive homes; and encouraging the adoption of robust standards that yield high-performance housing. Julian Brooks, Programmes Director at Good Homes Alliance, said: “We’re delighted that SCAPE has joined our Alliance. Developing the supply chain to enable the delivery of net zero new homes is a critical part of the journey and experience from client groups is suggesting that a greater focus is needed around verifiable and real net zero outcomes. Working with organisations such as SCAPE opens up this much needed discussion directly across the supply chain and we are optimistic that we can accelerate the delivery of net zero homes as a result.”
SCAPE – the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority – has announced the winners of its £1bn Consultancy frameworks today (Friday 18th 2020). Together, the new suite of frameworks is designed to help the public sector achieve better project outcomes, from individual assets through to major town and city centre regeneration initiatives, whilst embedding sustainability and zero carbon options that help effectively respond to the climate emergency. Covering six lots across two direct-award frameworks – the SCAPE Consultancy framework for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the SCAPE Scotland Consultancy framework – the new agreements will run from January 2021 until 2025, with the option of a two-year extension. SCAPE Scotland, which is based in Edinburgh, has established its consultancy framework under a separate legal structure to reflect Scottish law and procurement regulation. Accessible to any public sector organisation, the SCAPE Consultancy frameworks will offer the broadest range of professional services available in the construction industry under three distinct lots providing specialist support in each area. SCAPE Consultancy, Built Environment will include surveying and design, project management and quantity surveying for new projects and current assets. SCAPE Consultancy, Infrastructure will provide dedicated consultancy services to support the design, delivery and maintenance of infrastructure across the United Kingdom. SCAPE Consultancy, Place Shaping will offer a unique and specialist suite of strategic advisory services ranging from funding advice, policy development, estate rationalisation, as well as asset, risk and development management. The results of this procurement are as follows: Lot Geography Service Value Organisation Lot 1 England, Wales & NI SCAPE Consultancy, Built Environment £350m Perfect Circle (a company jointly owned by Pick Everard, Gleeds, Aecom) Lot 2 England, Wales & NI SCAPE Consultancy, Infrastructure £250m Perfect Circle (a company jointly owned by Pick Everard, Gleeds, Aecom) Lot 3 England, Wales & NI SCAPE Consultancy, Place Shaping £100m Mace Lot 1 Scotland SCAPE Scotland Consultancy, Built Environment £150m Faithful+Gould Lot 2 Scotland SCAPE Scotland Consultancy, Infrastructure £100m Triskelion ( Arcadis, Sweco and Fairhurst) Lot 3 Scotland SCAPE Scotland Consultancy, Place Shaping £50m Arup Each consultancy partner will be appointed by SCAPE’s direct award approach and supported by an extensive local supply chain to help accelerate projects and amplify the local economic, environmental and social impact on every project. The new frameworks are an evolution of the SCAPE Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework, which was operated with a quantum value of £350m and launched in 2016. Led by Perfect Circle (a company jointly owned by Pick Everard, Gleeds, Aecom), the BECS framework was widely embraced by the public sector, delivering more than 1,000 commissions and engaging with more than 335 SMEs through its local supply chains. Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “The quality of the bids we received was simply outstanding. Our new partners for these frameworks have the capacity to be transformative for our colleagues in the public sector seeking specialist consultancy support for projects in their communities. “We’ve evolved these services and applied the lessons learned from the hugely successful BECS framework following extensive client and industry consultation, analysis, as well as expanding the range of services clients can access. It means our new frameworks are not only hugely comprehensive but incredibly pertinent to a public sector now leading the UK’s push to build back better, build back greener and that is eager to help accelerate the economic recovery. “A core commitment to community enrichment, job creation, apprenticeships and tangible social value runs through every lot. The enhanced goals set in these frameworks and the fact that their breadth and scale is greater than what’s gone before will ensure they set a new benchmark for positive social and economic impact from professional services in construction.” Duncan Green, chair at Perfect Circle, said: “We are absolutely delighted that both the SCAPE Consultancy, Built Environment and the SCAPE Consultancy, Infrastructure frameworks have been awarded to Perfect Circle. Our impressive partnership with SCAPE is now set to further strengthen and we look forward to continuing the involvement, growth and collaboration with our extensive and diverse supply chain. “We will share and engage the industry ambition, expertise and innovation to build back better. Our teams will continue to provide value driven services with a dynamic and digital approach to meet the most challenging of needs of our public sector clients. We will be at the forefront of the green industrial revolution crucially promoting projects that underpin the country’s economic recovery and deliver a lasting legacy.” Jason Millett, chief executive for consultancy at Mace, said: “I am delighted that Mace has been appointed to deliver SCAPE Consultancy, Place Shaping. These are particularly challenging times for the public sector when budgets are under great pressure to deliver more with less. We will draw upon our decades of experience and expertise, working with our expert supply chain to successfully unlock the potential of our clients’ projects to create a lasting legacy and societal value for the long-term.” Jon Sealy, UK & Europe managing director at Faithful+Gould, said: “Our team is delighted to once again be part of the SCAPE family of frameworks. SCAPE’s commitment to social value and excellence is something that we share and are extremely passionate about. We are looking forward to collaborating with our framework partners and identifying opportunities to enable investment into Scottish communities and create a national-scale SCAPE legacy in Scotland.” Mark Cowlard, CEO – UK & Ireland at Arcadis (on behalf of Triskelion), said: “Triskelion has brought together the best Scotland can offer in a team of Arcadis, Sweco and Fairhurst, combining our collective strengths in terms of technical expertise, existing client relationships and market intelligence. We believe supporting training, education and community projects can make a real difference to society and we are delighted to have been appointed to this nationally significant framework. “Covid-19 recovery will see a drive to rebuild the Scottish economy which will provide a major boost for the Scottish Infrastructure market. We regard the SCAPE framework as being integral to delivering high quality
New SCAPE research finds just one in five people believe developers will deliver on their commitments to improving local communities Half of UK residents can’t think of a local construction project that has had a positive impact on their community Insight features in new report on the evolution of social value by the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority The property industry must do more to demonstrate the positive impact of construction projects on communities across the UK, according to new research by the UK’s leading public sector procurement authority, SCAPE. In this latest nationwide research, SCAPE found that as few as one in five (20%) people in the UK believe that property developers will deliver against the commitments they make in relation to social value and improving local communities. The research indicates that there is a clear disconnect between the wide-ranging initiatives employed by contractors nationwide to create social value and the general public’s awareness or perception of them. Only half (50%) of the 2,000 UK residents surveyed recognised that a project had contributed positively to their local community. Respondents indicated that delivering long-term community benefit was the most important outcome for any project, ahead of other issues such as a building’s appearance or its green credentials. The research forms part of Social Value: More Than Metrics, a new report by SCAPE thatexplores the evolution of social value in the public sector and the impact that contractors and developers are having on local communities. Despite widespread initiatives across the construction industry in relation to employment, sustainability and social cohesion, many members of the public are still unaware of how projects are being delivered in a way that enriches their community. Only a third (35%) of all respondents had heard of the term ‘social value’ and felt confident that they understand what it means. With the public sector already acting as the cornerstone for the UK’s economic recovery – and set to play an increasingly important role in infrastructure investment as the nation builds back better in 2021 – the report calls for public sector organisations and contractors to aid the public’s understanding of social value. Key recommendations in the report include: Giving social value returns equal if not greater prominence than traditional procurement drivers, such as time, cost and quality Incorporating qualitative feedback procedures, such as interviews with community stakeholders and focus groups, into measurement processes Encouraging ongoing review of the metrics used to measure each project to avoid a ‘cookie cutter’ approach to social value Standardising sustainability measurement to demonstrate benefits with greater ease and consistency Implementing long-term community engagement processes to ensure positive legacies for every project. Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: “In the seven years since the Social Value Act was passed, the new duties required in procurement have played a valuable role in guiding public bodies and contractors to consider the wider impact of public investment on society. However, as we await the imminent launch of the government’s Construction Playbook – which will increase the focus on socioeconomic improvement – our research shows that work still needs to be done to improve public perception regarding the benefits being created through construction projects. “Whilst the monetisation of social value is important, in many ways, the more important thing is the short and long-term value that one action can set in motion within a community, and how these actions are perceived and received. By shining a light on the public’s understanding and perception of social value, and demonstrating what best-in-class delivery looks like, it is our aim through this report to get to the heart of these issues and drive positive, sustainable change within communities.”
Midlands contractor G F Tomlinson has completed works on an innovative modular housing scheme in Grantham, which is the first of its kind in the region. Delivered for South Kesteven District Council, through the Scape Regional Construction framework, the scheme comprises two modular housing developments valued at a total of £2.1m, which will provide critical social housing to meet the current requirements of the local authority. Works commenced at the two developments – Kinoulton Court and Earlesfield Lane – late last year and the plots were completed in summer. The 2,200 sq. ft. Earlesfield development comprises a block of four one-bedroom semi-detached apartments and Kinoulton Court is a 5,400 sq. ft. housing development comprising 10 one-bedroom apartments split into two blocks – one of which has four one-bedroom apartments and the other, six one-bedroom apartments. Delivered by lorry to site, the houses were fitted onto prepared foundations which include functioning pipe works and electrics. This process ensures that time is saved at the construction stage, with 10 weeks of programme time being saved for this particular scheme, compared to traditional methods. Works on both South Kesteven plots involved clearance of the sites – as Earlesfield was a small car park and Kinoulton Court, underutilised land. Prior to the installation of the modular units by supply chain partner, Premier Modular Ltd, a full enabling groundworks package was required for each plot with foundations, drainage and a protective ground gas membrane. The homes were then roofed and cladded on site, before external works were undertaken to each property including fenced boundaries, landscaped gardens, carparking and footpaths. External elevations were fitted with insulation and brick slips, and all internal finishes were completed by Premier Modular Ltd including UPVC glazing, mechanical and electrical works, plastering, decorations, flooring and commissioning. The traditional timber truss roofs and slate tiling was completed on site due to restrictions with transporting overly large modular building sections through the narrow residential streets. Craig Stopper, framework manager at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are pleased to have delivered this critical modular housing scheme in the region, to facilitate the fundamental need for social housing for South Kesteven District Council. “The modular housing plots were completed on-time and to a high standard which is a testament to our project teams and local supply chain partners, who have quickly adapted to the new guidelines which have been introduced as a result of the pandemic, to ensure safe working and social distancing on site. “We are certainly seeing an increase in the demand for modular construction as an energy efficient, comprehensive solution for social housing, that provides high-quality, affordable, easily accessible and adaptable accommodation. As modular sites are relatively unaffected by environmental delays such as bad weather – less logistical transport is required for materials which is more environmentally friendly and generates less waste.” SKDC Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Robert Reid, said: “We are building new homes in a range of different ways and the modular housing project is unique for us in that it has not been a traditional on-site build. “These are ambitious new-style developments providing homes for those who need them most and I am delighted to say both modular housing plots are fully occupied. We are creating a better quality of life for our residents, which is part of our vision for the future of this district.” Mark Robinson, Scape Group chief executive, said: “The UK’s housing shortage needs to be addressed with speed and efficiency, so it’s exciting to see G F Tomlinson and South Kesteven District Council using our Regional Construction framework and innovative modular construction methods to do just that. We take great pride in helping them to deliver a regional first strategy that will be of huge benefit to local communities.”
Leading procurement organisation, Scape Group is upping the value of its national construction framework from £5.5bn to a whopping £7bn, a boost which will see the body’s framework become the country’s most valuable procurement framework. The rise has been planned for a while; notice was published by Scape in the Official Journal of the European Community (OJEU) Scape. The organisation said that it has increased the value of its main procurement framework following feedback from clients, gathered during the many market consultation sessions it has held and continues to hold. Scape went on to say that the £1.5bn boost is indicative of growing demand amongst clients for effective, efficient project delivery, programme certainty and financial security. The framework is divided into five, according to geographical region and nature of works. It appears below: A greater number of lead contractors are expected to be awarded the new framework – unlike Scape’s previous procurement framework which was overwhelming dominated by big name contractor, Willmott Dixon. Bidding contractors will have the opportunity to bag up to two of the three regional lots or one of either Major Works UK or Principal Works (UK) thus providing them access to a greater variety of suppliers and service providers within the framework. As always, just one managing contractor take the helm, supported by a broad and all-encompassing local supply chain. Mark Robinson, Chief Executive of Scape Group, is hopeful about the potential of the new £7bn framework and firmly believes that it will match the changing expectations of contractors and clients alike. From public consultations, Mark also suggested that the increased value would enable public sector bodies, in particular, to continue regeneration works and meet demand for housing in a high quality, cost-effective and on time way. Mark Robinson added that the public’s recent decision to leave the EU would not affect the introduction of the new procurement framework and that “it is very much business as usual” for Scape. Successful bidders for the new framework are expected to be announced early next year. By May 2017, it is predicted to have fully fazed out the National Major Works framework that Scape currently offers.
