PfH Marketplace Webinars

Information laws could apply to associations

A government drive to increase housing associations’ transparency took a fresh turn after the deputy prime minister indicated they should become subject to freedom of information laws.

Nick Clegg last week suggested that private organisations performing ‘functions of a public nature’ should be covered by FoI laws. ‘There are a whole range of organisations [which] benefit from public money… yet cannot be properly scrutinised,’ he added. ‘Citizens must know what goes on in these institutions.’  A spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats confirmed that associations were ‘the sort of organisation we might see getting involved’.  Mr Clegg’s call for greater transparency comes hard on the heels of a similar push by the Communities and Local Government department. 

Ministers are considering forcing associations to publish details of all spending over £500 as a condition of accessing the £1.9 billion affordable housing grant. Association chiefs fear both measures will create unnecessary work and risk pushing their £40 billion private debt portfolio onto the public sector balance sheets.

E-procurement is anticipated to play a critical role in helping associations to respond to these measures by providing greater transparency over spending.  PfH is here to help associations to address the challenges outlined above and minimise unnecessary work with the PfH Marketplace.  The solution will make it easier for the sector to gain visibility, control and compliance over spending, enabling more strategic and cost effective purchasing decisions.

To view how your organisation could benefit PfH is hosting initial taster webinars between 11.00am-12.00pm on the following dates:

• 3rd February

• 7th February

• 15th February

• 22nd February

• 1st March

Members to have recently trialled the system through the webinars commented:

"It was the first time I've done a webinar and I found it extremely useful." Diane Symonds, Raven Housing Trust

“The webinar highlighted how simple the system is to use compared to other e-procurement systems available on the market.  The PfH Marketplace is a solution which is extremely low cost but offers high functionality.  When I saw the price of it we signed up immediately – it was a win-win solution.” Phil Gardener, Alternative Futures Group.

To register your interest in attending these free webinars please email: dmoore@procurementforhousing.co.uk.

* For an up to date list of webinars please check the PfH events calendar by clicking here.