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About the Direct Works Forum
What we do
The Forum organises four seminars each year at which members decide the discussion topics. The content of the seminars is always therefore relevant to building maintenance practitioners in the social housing environment. In these times of major changes within the sector, there is never a shortage of topics to be debated and to date our seminars have dealt with well in excess of 50 topics which have included:
- Electrical Regulations
- Housings Better Future
- Asbestos Regulations
- Partnering Repairs
- Bonus Incentive Schemes
- Part 'L' of the Building Regulations
- Call Centres
- Best Value + Partnering
- Benchmarking Repairs v
- Managing Stock Condition Information
- Supply chain Management
- DLO Business Planning
The Forum is also represented on the Housing Forum's Maintenance Steering Group, which is looking to showcase best practice and introduce the Egan Agenda into the field of maintenance.
The Forum is represented by two members on the National Housing Federation Schedule of Rates (SoR) Steering Committee, which continually endeavours to improve the SoR document by feedback from members working with it. This is seen as a particularly important area of work as the National Housing Federation SoR becomes more widely used throughout the sector as Local Authorities transfer stock to RSLs. Our involvement with this committee has lead directly to the creation of Checkmate (see links) that is now the accepted benchmarking product for repairs and maintenance within the RSL sector. As a consequence of our involvement in its creation, the Forum is represented on the Checkmate Working Party alongside KPMG, Rand Associates, Housing Software Services and HAMMAR who regularly meet to review the product and its application.
Each year prizes are presented to three apprentices from within the membership who have demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment.
Where we are
The Forum meets four times each year at Brandon Hall Hotel and Spa in Coventry, details of which can be found via the link below.
With a membership stretching the length and breadth of the country, members have always agreed that, with good road and rail links, Coventry is a sensible location at which to host the seminars. The Brandon Hall Hotel and Spa is set in a wonderful location where members can take an after lunch stroll networking with colleagues.
Places to Stay
Brandon Hall Hotel and Spa
http://www.mercure.com/gb/hotel-6625-mercure-coventry-brandon-hall-hotel-and-spa/room.shtml
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