SECTION 1 - APPLICANT INFORMATION |
Name, location, contact details | This is in order to confirm which body is applying, that they are on the Register of Social Landlords, and how to get in touch with the applicant. This would also be where information about any formal group structures (parent and subsidiaries) would be confirmed. |
SECTION 2 - CONFIRMATION OF GOOD STANDING |
A Statement of Good Standing, that confirms that the applicant: - Has the necessary powers;
- Is not in financial or governance difficulties;
- Is not experiencing legal difficulties;
- Provides quality housing services; and that
- The applicant's accounts are in good order
| This to ensure that pre-qualified RSLs are of good standing and not subject to difficulties that may give rise to unacceptable levels of risk. We could rely on annual accounts, the Management Letter prepared by the Auditor and regulatory assessments by the Scottish Housing Regulator, but there are likely to be time lags between this information being made available and the submission of applications for pre-qualification. |
SECTION 3 - FINANCIAL STANDING |
A copy of the most recent audited accounts and the most recent five year financial forecasts for the applicant RSL. If the applicant is a subsidiary of another RSL, a copy of the consolidated and/or group accounts and parent RSL's accounts will be requested. | The results of the five year financial forecasts may be sourced from the Scottish Housing Regulator, if the RSL consents to this. If no forecast has been completed, then it is proposed that an RSL wanting to pre-qualify should complete one. |
SECTION 4 - DEVELOPMENT AND PROCUREMENT EXPERTISE |
General |
Details of any quality assurance or accreditation which is relevant for the procurement and development functions. | Examples may include ISO9000, ISO140000, membership of Housemark, adoption of nationally-recognised construction codes of good practice. |
Details of management arrangements for controlling and procuring development work over the past three years. | This is intended to source practical evidence about the applicant's approach to managing and controlling projects. |
Examples of recent development projects | This is in order to source evidence to support the applicant's statements about innovation, quality, design, procurement, supply chain management, sustainability and efficiency. |
Innovation |
Examples of innovation introduced by the applicant in order to improve value for money | Examples might include: modern methods of construction; cost management; increased energy efficiency; whole life costing and asset management |
Design |
Information about the approach taken to ensure design quality: how the applicant has ensured compliance with design standards and how it manages projects to ensure that this is delivered in the completed new homes. | This is intended to go beyond Building Standards. It should capture the standards to which the applicant works and to which it holds contractors and developers working on its behalf. |
Supply Chain Management |
Any involvement by the applicant in buying clubs, Strategic Framework Agreements or other bulk purchase arrangements, and what their requirements are regarding workforce or contractors' involvement in construction skills certification schemes. | These questions are intended to promote adoption of improved supply chain management. |
Efficiency |
The applicant's approach to use of whole life costing, use of existing land banks and general deliverability. | These questions relate to general deliverability and the applicant's approach to project, cost and risk management. |
Equality and Diversity |
A statement by the applicant about their approach to discharging their general duty to promote equality and diversity through development of new homes. This could include how they work with communities and promote improved relationships. | RSLs are expected to ensure that unlawful discrimination is eliminated and that they promote equality of opportunity in all they do. This should be demonstrable in their approach to investment in new homes. |
Sustainability |
An explanation from the applicant about their approach to planning for and delivery of increased sustainability of their new developments. | Given the importance of tackling climate change it would be a preferable for the applicant to provide some evidence of their approach rather than simply confirm that they have a policy. |