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igem news

SOCIAL HOUSING

and, to borrow a phrase, “they didn’t
know what they didn’t know”.
It soon became clear that IGEM
needed to understand this challenge
more fully. So, in November 2019 we
brought together a wide range of key
stakeholders from the sector for a full
day workshop. The workshop outlined
the concerns from the sector and
identified the potential for IGEM to
work closer with the sector to address
their needs.
To support and drive this forward,
in March 2020 the IGEM Social
Housing Working Group (SHWG) was
assembled from key stakeholders and
experts in the field.
IGEM Fellow Andrew Durber,
who chairs the IGEM UP/1 technical
panel, was invited to chair the SHWG.
Andrew’s vast experience gained both
from working in the sector and through
various IGEM gas utilisation panels
made him the perfect fit.
Andrew said: “This initiative by
IGEM to support the social housing
sector is both timely and welcome, and
I am pleased to be able work with my
colleagues on the newly-formed IGEM
Social Housing Working Group (SHWG)
to support it.
“The landscape for this sector
is rapidly changing following the
Grenfell tragedy; we know the sector
is adjusting and that the need to bring
safety compliance to the forefront has
hit home for us all. With the inevitable
BUILDING A speak for all of the SHWG members
changes in the coming years, I feel I
in saying that we will all do our best
to help IGEM support social housing
providers throughout this vital journey.”
In March 2020, the SHWG had its
SAFE FUTURE inaugural meeting and the world
changed as Covid-19 arrived in the
UK. Our response was swift and the
SHWG quickly agreed a phase one work
package and started work online.
During the intervening period, the
group has been collecting information
Kevin Ransom, IGEM Industrial Affiliate Engagement Manager, from a wide range of sources to obtain
explains how new requirements for housing providers have measured recommendations on how
IGEM can realistically help support the
instigated major changes for the institution and its members social housing sector.
The SHWG is nearing its conclusion
THE TRAGIC EVENTS of Grenfell multi-occupancy buildings. and will shortly be putting forward
Tower in June 2017 are still vivid today. Last year, IGEM saw a growing number its recommendations. The plan is to
Following the Hackitt Review and the of enquiries from councils and housing launch an offer to this sector from first
publication of the Draft Building Safety associations seeking a wide range of quarter 2021.
Bill earlier this year, it is clear that help and guidance. For the most part,
change will happen and impact those this was driven by the realisation that For more information on IGEM’s various
responsible for managing gas safety in the landscape in the sector was changing working groups, visit www.igem.org.uk

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