Following their involvement in our Knowsley Future Development Plans Event we’ve been speaking to Social Value Manager Sarah Maguire on their new partnership with Knowsley Council and it’s impact on development and procurement in the region…
Q. Fusion 21 has a strong social value ethos, how is this shown through the frameworks you offer?
Social Value is at the heart of everything we deliver to our 700+ members. Social Value is embedded in all our procurement frameworks and we offer an end to end service for our members, ensuring the social value outcomes are agreed, monitored and reported. As such, every contract procured through Fusion21 will deliver benefits to the communities and neighbourhoods in which projects take place.
Q. What are your most significant upcoming frameworks, and how can suppliers get involved with them?
All our frameworks are renewed on a 4 year cycle. The next major framework to be renewed is our consultants framework, which will go live in the summer. We have just issued the PIN and are undertaking early market engagement. If supplier which to engage with us please go to our website for further details (https://www.fusion21.co.uk/news/2021/complete-our-survey-on-our-new-consultants-framework-we-want-to-hear-from-you)
We are just about to go-live with 2 new frameworks, Workplace and Facilities and Building Safety and Compliance, though it is now too late for suppliers to get on these frameworks
Q. How do Fusion 21’s frameworks deliver efficiency savings for your users?
We like to talk about value for money rather than just efficiencies. We measure VFM in a number of different ways. First, on average our frameworks provide cost savings of more than 201% compared to standard market rates. This is mainly due to the value placed by suppliers to get in our frameworks because of the number of members we have and the opportunities the framework creates. Second we help our members avoid the high cost of running their own procurement exercises.
Finally, by a rigorous selection process, based on quality as well as price and the ongoing monitoring of performance, our supply chain provide a quality service to our members which can save money in the long term.
Q. The Cabinet Office is currently consulting about potential changes to public procurement, what reforms do Fusion21 believe would be beneficial to the system?
We are just in the process of completing our response and consulting our members but generally we recognise the need for reform albeit there is potentially significant change coming for us in terms of our people, systems and processes.
How we conduct both Frameworks and call-off procurements, expectations on how we report information and increase transparency will change and all add to our costs, but we hope that overall as the Government states “the proposed reforms will deliver the best commercial outcomes with the least burden on businesses and the public sector”. The devil may well be in the detail!
Q. One of your core frameworks is around heating & renewables, including having a retrofit aspect, how has this help to deliver reduced carbon emissions?
Fusion21 has a comprehensive offer to our members who are currently developing their strategies to reduce carbon emissions. The offer covers 3 key areas, our Heating and Renewables framework allows members to install a number of renewable heating systems including solar, ground and air source heat pumps, and district heating with biomass etc. Our Energy Efficiency framework covers a range of measures including external and internal wall insulation, cladding, battery storage, electrical vehicle charging points and LED lighting.
We also have our existing consultants framework which includes a number of companies that specializing in helping members to develop their zero carbon strategies.
Q. You recently created a new partnership with Knowsley Council, how will this help to drive development in the region?
Knowsley Council are leading by example in ensuring that social value opportunities are maximised across the development pipeline. Using the
planning system to mandate developers to deliver social value outcomes demonstrates a clear commitment to ensuring everyone coming into the Borough does their bit to reduce unemployment and increase opportunities.
Having complete oversight of the development pipeline through the planning system allows us to plan long-term. Knowing for example that 2,000 homes
will be built in Knowsley this year allows us to shape an extensive programme of social value activity to benefit local people. This includes training local people to be able to access jobs on construction sites and working with local businesses to make sure they are best placed to win subcontracting packages.
All in all its an ambitious exciting programme of work which makes a difference. Long term planning for long term gain!
