The green agenda is the focus of a joint session with HQN’s Asset Management Network and Estate Services Hub. We will be exploring areas of joint interest, including waste disposal and recycling, the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles, and grounds maintenance.

We are particularly interested to get your input into this session and hear about your own experiences on the following topics.

Waste disposal and recycling

• Composting both green and organic materials
• Do you know how much material goes to landfill compared to being recycled?
• Persistent organic pollutants, eg, from weed spraying, how is this dealt with?

The growth in the use of electric and hybrid vehicles

• Electric and hybrid vehicles for trade teams and contractors
• Fleet procurement arrangements, linkages to tender documentation as part of procurement
• The contradictory removal of green spaces for installation of charging points
• How are members managing requests for hard standing to be installed on greens for people who want to charge electric cars?
• Charging arrangements for fleet/operatives vehicles.

Grounds maintenance

• Reduction in grass cutting events, no mow months – is it just a temporary fashionable fad? How are we measuring effectiveness and success?
• Returning sites to nature but avoiding monocultures
• GPS and GIS systems in estate services and repairs and maintenance
• Replacement of boundary fences with hedging.

Kevin Bentley, HQN Associate, HQN

Kevin has worked in social housing in both the local government and housing association sectors for over 25 years, specialising in housing maintenance and stock investment issues.

Kevin has been a HQN Associate for over 14 years, providing advice and support to many housing organisations.

He has in-depth knowledge of all aspects of operational delivery and strategic asset management in the sector. He regularly carries out reviews of gas servicing and maintenance for organisations. He has in-depth knowledge of service delivery and best practice in the sector delivered by in-house/DLO contractors and out-sourced arrangements.

Kevin is also one of HQN’s key accreditation assessors specialising in HQN: DLO and HQN: gas repairs and asset management accreditations. He is also one of HQN’s trainers responsible for contract management and procurement.

Kevin has carried out upwards of 120 service reviews and similar in-depth assessments of repairs and maintenance services for HQN clients, including a large number of gas servicing and maintenance reviews for organisations with both in-house contractors or outsourced and hybrid arrangements.

Best practice groups are free to members and are a fantastic opportunity to hear about what’s happening in the sector and network with fellow housing professionals.

Why you should come to the best practice group:

• Great way to find out what others are doing
• Good, honest and open discussions
• Sharing best practice and ideas with others in similar roles
• Acts as a sense-check about what people are doing or thinking of doing.

Cancellations must be made in writing, and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited. Delegates may be substituted at any time.