Rebecca Hartshorn is the national framework director at John Sisk & Son
The UK could easily find itself in a period of tumultuous politics in the near future, but it is vitally important that public sector projects can continue as normal as possible. The potential for a change in administration may raise doubts about the viability of the project and with funding tightening, the public sector needs the support of our industry more than ever. Contractors play an important role in ensuring these projects get off the ground and deliver added value to clients.
“Contractors must be strategic partners, leveraging their skill sets to shape and inform key early decisions”
The threat of halting or stopping work is particularly relevant for key and higher-value projects in the higher price range. These projects harbor great aspirations and factors such as inflation, market volatility, funding flows and even administrative costs can have an impact to their detriment. Changes to previously confirmed plans leave local authority bodies in a state of uncertainty, which naturally filters down to constituents and communities.
It is also worth noting the knock-on effect that the stoppage or work stoppage has within industry and the wider economy. The strength of supply chains and the labor market are likely to be hampered if progress does not continue as normal. For example, projects might be in a position to have secured funding, but then struggle to find the skilled professionals needed to deliver quality work.
Essentially, this is early engagement and collaboration, with contractors offering clients the best opportunity to add value and innovation to the process.
Where to add value
The industry has evolved and contractors have become trusted delivery partners, often able to collaborate early in the design stage, offering innovative low-carbon options and testing the robustness of programs and budgets. This added value is what gives substantial weight to public sector schemes, ensuring that they not only get off the ground, but also have all the necessary support and funding to take projects from inception to completion.
The sector will be much more willing to projects that make a difference. Here, contractors can step in and show their worth, doing so under “gold standard frameworks,” which call for early participation.
Contractors can use experience and innovation to add value through frameworks, particularly embracing various areas such as modern construction methods (MMC), digital project delivery, net zero carbon and social value. Incorporating these elements translates into better ways of working and subsequently gives the public sector the best chance of getting the green light for the programs it contracts with.
For example, by adopting off-site technologies throughout the construction process, projects can benefit from both cost and program efficiencies. MMC also has a positive impact on the environment with reduced transport and less on-site energy requirements. This naturally goes hand in hand with working towards net zero: contractors have a responsibility to do good by the environment and put their green foot forward through various tactics, such as diverting construction and demolition waste from the landfill and reuse them.
Strengthening connections
A digital approach is another value-added element that can strengthen public sector schemes. It creates a strong connection between on-site and off-site teams, ensuring that productivity and communication are clear and efficient for the entirety of a project.
Meanwhile, the social value of impact remains at the heart of successful projects, as the sector looks to invest in programs that leave a positive legacy in the local community. This is why it is vitally important that contractors truly include social value in their work to truly enrich the lives of communities; it’s not just a branding exercise.
Contractors need to be strategic partners, leveraging their skill sets to shape and inform key early decisions, as well as making project lifecycle commitments to the schemes they are working on.
By working collaboratively and not in silos, both the public sector and contractors can form partnerships and strengthen the likelihood that projects will progress as planned, and do so with fully compatible procurement pathways. It is vital that any ways of adding value are explored and exercised in the early stages of a project, as it is this way of working that will offer the best chance of gaining the necessary approval from key stakeholders of decisions, especially in the midst of political uncertainty.
