University Position Statement in Relation to Construction Work 2017-2019

University Position Statement in Relation to Construction Work 2017-2019

Introduction

1.The University has made a commitment to invest in its estate in line with its current Strategic Plan 2015-2020. It is progressing with a bold 10-year, multimillion-pound investment to transform the estate and deliver first-class facilities for teaching, research and knowledge exchange. It will continue to develop an attractive, dynamic, technology-enabled and environmentally-sustainable campus that reflects its status as a leading international technological university, supportingits strategic ambitions and delivering for staff, students and partners.

In order to achieve the requirements of this Strategy, funding in excess of £250 million has been identified over 10 years.

2.Key Approved Projects include:

• Construction of a new Centre for Sports Health and Wellbeing
• Construction of a new District Energy system including combined heat and power
• Redevelopment and major refurbishment of the existing Colville and Architecture buildings to create a new Teaching and Learning facility
• Redevelopment and major refurbishment of the existing Wolfson building for Biomedical Engineering
• Extension to the existing Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC)
• Various maintenance projects works to Royal College and John Anderson buildings

University Policies

3.In the delivery of our Strategic Plan the University will act and make decisions to reinforce its values:

People-oriented / Committed to our staff and students, providing opportunities and investing in their development.
Bold / Confident and challenging about what we do, and supportive of appropriate and managed risk in our decision-making.
Innovative / Focused on discovering and applying knowledge with impact, and encouraging creative thinking and new ideas.
Collaborative / Working together, internally and externally, with integrity and in an open, respectful way.
Ambitious / For our institution, staff and students as well as supporting the ambitions of our partner.

The University is committed to ensure that any work we undertake is approached in an ethical and sustainable manner. This aligns with the Strategic Plan and other University policies such as our Climate Change and Social Responsibility Policy 2016-2026, Sustainable Development Policy and our Sustainable Procurement Strategy.

The University is committed to ensuring Sustainable Design Quality Standards for both Major and Minor Projects. These standards promote building designs which perform above the legislative benchmark, but are affordable, replicable and represent best value for money.

Supply Chain

4.The University has embedded its obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in our Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. The University’s Procurement function has further embedded this in the Universities Supply Chain Code of Conduct which underpins all tendering activity.The Code of Conduct demonstrates our commitment to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our supply chains. The University’s Code of Conduct can be accessed through the Procurement Manual.

The University has ensured that the legislative measures in relation to blacklisting, incorporated within Public Procurement Regulations (Scotland) 2016, are complied with during tendering activity; through the use of the European Single Procurement Document (Scotland).

The University does not endorse the use of Umbrella Agreements.

The University would encouragecontracted suppliers to follow these principles in their own supply chains.

Workforce Matters

5.The University as part of the Higher Education sector, supports the Public Sector in Scotland’s commitment to the delivery of high quality public services, and recognises that this is critically dependent on a workforce that is well-motivated, well led, has appropriate opportunities for training and skills development and is engaged in decision making. These factors are also important for workforce recruitment and retention, and thus continuity of service.

The University has adopted fair work practices, which include but are not limited to:

•A pay policy that includes a commitment to supporting the voluntary Living Wage;

•Being a Living Wage Accredited Employer

•Clear managerial responsibility to nurture talent and help individuals fulfil their potential

•Recruiting and retaining a workforce which is supported, irrespective of individual protected characteristics

•A strong commitment to Modern Apprenticeships

•Support for learning and development for all staff

•Not using zero hours contracts

•Trade Union recognition and representation

•Promoting workplace innovation

In order to ensure the highest standards of service quality in contracts we expect Contractors to take a similarly positive approach to fair work practices as part of a fair and equitable employment and reward package and as such,our commitment to Fair Working Practices is included within every regulated procurement process.

Identifying and Mitigating Potential Risk in Our Supply Chains

6. The University is a member of the Advanced Procurement of Universities and Colleges (APUC) consortium, and therefore endorses the APUC Supply Chain Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct details the consortium members’ and suppliers’ duties in corporate social responsibility and sustainable areas across the supply chain.

Every regulated procurement process conducted by the University requires tenderers to disclose whether the bidder or any member of their organisation with decision-making powers has been convicted in the last five years of any offence under Part 1 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015, or under any provision referred to in the Schedule to that Act. Tenderers that confirm such a conviction will be excluded from the process unless they can successfully demonstrate that they have satisfactorily self-cleansed.

Health and Safety

7.The Health and Safety of all workers is paramount. The Construction Industry can be a dangerous industry therefore contracts from the University outline an expectation that all Contractors ensure that:

• Health and Safety regulations and standards are rigorously adhered to.
• Welfare facilities for construction workers are appropriate, including reasonable standards for toilets, amenities and drying facilities in accordance with the Construction, Design and Management Regulations 2015.

Training and Awareness

8.The University’s Procurement function has a commitment to undertake all relevant training and awareness sessions in relation to fair, ethical and sustainable procurement.

The Head of Procurement has also engaged with Police Scotland, Detect and Deter section within the Safer Communities Unit and has secured training and awareness sessions to identify unusual and potentially criminal behaviour.

Review Date: 31/08/2019