At a conference held in Cardiff on 28^th February, Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Regeneration, Edwina Hart, launched the Integrate supply chain. The first of its kind in Wales, the supply chain is a huge step forward in the delivery of better quality housing services for the people of Wales.

Integrate is a collaboration of housing associations operating across Wales, including United Welsh. Collectively the partners own and manage over 19,000 properties.  The Integrate supply chain is a group of independent companies who have committed themselves to work in collaboration and partnership with the Integrate housing associations, in a way they’ve never done before. Working together through the supply chain will help to reduce costs and at the same time improve the quality of housing services offered to the people of Wales. It is based around the notion of ‘Regional Economy’, ‘Local Delivery’.

Edwina Hart (AM) addressed the conference and congratulated Integrate on the work of the supply chain. “Consortiums like Integrate are about creating new ways for housing associations to work together. Their aim is to create greater efficiency and continuous improvement in quality and service for the public housing needs of Wales.

“Integrate has established the contractor Supply Chain Framework Agreement in Wales, and represents a major change in construction procurement methods, particularly in the delivery of social housing development and maintenance.

“The partnership is already proving a success – Integrate has been awarded all Cardiff County Council’s sites in the recent site-bidding because it was able to exceed the basic criteria on the County’s selection process and offer added benefits as a development partner.”

Integrate exists to encourage economies of scale and improved programme management arrangements. It also contributes to the cross-cutting themes of social inclusion, sustainability and equal opportunities, while maintaining local accountability and the identity and independence of the partners.

Kevin Protheroe, a spokesperson for Integrate said, “It’s a complicated proposition, and requires a big leap of faith for the companies involved. But on the basis of the training days I’ve attended with them, and the projects we’ve started to roll-out together, I think we can rest assured that these companies have worked extremely hard to get to this stage. They are committed to Integrate, to the Assembly’s partnership principles, and I’m confident they’re going to give it their best shot”.