The award, which is now in its fifth year, was presented to 4 South Yorkshire Consortium at the recent SOPO annual conference exhibition for achieving excellence in procurement through partnership working. Despite competition from other deserving finalists, 4 South Yorkshire was chosen as the leading example of what effective collaboration can ultimately achieve.
Commenting on the win, Jed Turner, lead officer for the consortium, said: “It’s good to see our ground-breaking partnership with the four local authorities and their four ALMOs being recognised on a national level. This is testimony to the enormous commitment of everyone involved in this consortium and is ultimately for the tenants who benefit directly from the efficiency savings being realised.”
This prestigious award is widely recognised amongst local authorities across the UK and Northern Ireland. The Society of Procurement Officers provides the social housing sector advice on purchase and supply matters, sharing best practice and helping to achieve the wider national agenda for ‘Best Value’ amongst social housing procurement.
4 South Yorkshire, formerly known as South Yorkshire Decent Homes Efficiency Forum, has been running for over a year and has already achieved major milestones. In September the consortium received approval for a six figure implementation grant from DCLG to facilitate driving forward efficiency gains within the consortium framework.
The group recently decided to change its name to reflect what it essentially comprises: four ALMOs based in South Yorkshire: Berneslai Homes; Rotherham 2010: St Leger Homes of Doncaster and Sheffield Homes and their respective Local Authorities: Barnsley; Doncaster; Rotherham and Sheffield Metropolitan Borough Councils. 4 South Yorkshire wanted its name to reflect its role within South Yorkshire, which is to serve the local area with best value solutions so as to achieve a socially and economically sustainable community.
John Piggott, the Programme Manager of the NCA Housing programme, said
“I am delighted to see commitment of the 4 South Yorkshire consortium acknowledged by this award. Their approach to partnership and continuous improvement is a very fine example of modern, mature procurement practice.”
