The Way We Do Business

Our aim is to apply the best modern working practices, manage business risks effectively, to work efficiently and demonstrate value for money. We are committed to dealing honestly and fairly with people. We are taking steps to ensure that all appropriate strategies and policies are communicated to our business partners, suppliers, advisors, contractors and stakeholders and this is particularly important in relation to CR. We acknowledge the work of our business partners in helping us to achieve our targets and we are committed to the principles of responsible procurement.

In addition to the achievement of our 2006/07 CR targets we also have the following examples of our approach in action:

Every year we hold conferences for our managing agents to publicise new strategies or policies as well as get feedback and ideas. The focus this year for the different estate teams has been on sustainability in the marine environment, addressing the challenges of climate change and our customer service brand
Following the success of the urban extranet that was launched in 2005, a sister site was created this year for the rural estate. The extranet was developed for our business partners, in particular our managing agents and solicitors and it has been successfully rolled out to rural managing agents
Since 2005 we have presented annual property management awards to our urban managing agents in order to recognise outstanding achievement.

2006/07 Targets & Achievements

1. Develop and launch a construction sustainability checklist for inclusion in the contractual agreements issued to contractors, identifying the criteria and standards that must be implemented on site, for directly commissioned construction projects over £1 m.

A draft checklist has been developed. Further work is required to refine it and to ensure that it is appropriate for all areas of the business prior to testing with contractors and including it in legal documentation. (Target 50% achieved)

2. Adapt the urban environmental performance index monitoring tool (EPI) for use across other estates so as to evaluate the environmental performance of all managing agents according to appropriate criteria.

The EPI has been adapted for use by the housing business group, responsible for our affordable housing estates in London. Agreement has been given for its adaptation to meet the requirements of the Windsor estate. It has been found not to be applicable to the rural and marine business areas due to the nature of the tenancies and differing role of the managing agents. (Target 100% achieved)

3. Develop and launch a detailed sustainability design checklist for inclusion in the contractual specifications issued to design teams, identifying the criteria and standards that must be considered in all direct developments over 930 sq. m (10,000 sq. feet).

Following preliminary work it became clear that this target was not applicable in the direct development process: tools and advice were already available to fulfil the function of such a checklist. (Target not applicable)