Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) marked its tenth anniversary with an AGM centred on managing safety in Scotland's existing buildings, as leaders from housing, government and regulation warned that better data, clearer accountability and multi-year funding are essential to meet the scale of the challenge.

The AGM brought together senior voices from housing, government, regulation, construction, legal and procurement, coinciding with SPA's milestone year. Entitled Managing Safety in Scotland's Existing Buildings, the event examined how social landlords, councils and other public bodies are responding to shifting regulation, emerging safety risks and tightening budgets.

Lesley Peaty, Regional Director at SPA, said: "Keeping existing buildings safe has never been more important and organisations are having to navigate changing legislation, ageing properties and increasingly complex responsibilities.

"This year's AGM brought together experts who provided practical insight into the issues affecting the sector today while also helping organisations prepare for the challenges that lie ahead."

Contributors included Cassandra Dove, Policy Lead at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), Scottish Housing Regulator Chief Executive Michael Cameron and Danny Henderson, Head of the Technical Unit within the Scottish Government's Building Standards Division.

Legal, technical and procurement perspectives were offered by Erica Dickson of Morton Fraser MacRoberts, Scott Bradshaw of NBM Cost Consultants, Tom Diamond of RCI Technical Services and Daniella Bryans of SPA, while Alan Karas of LHC Procurement Group focused on social value.

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A dominant theme was the sheer size and complexity of the current building safety task. Speakers underlined the need for stronger asset information, unambiguous lines of responsibility and achievable inspection, maintenance and remediation programmes.

Danny Henderson set out the Scottish Government's ongoing work following recent building safety incidents, covering reviews of fire standards, ventilation, contaminated land, accessible housing and energy requirements.

He also described research into emerging risks such as lithium battery products and reinforced concrete structures, alongside proposals for a compliance plan approach for higher-risk buildings and further work on professional competence and agile response.

Funding constraints repeatedly surfaced, with concerns about delivering complex projects when public money must be allocated and spent within short, single-year budget cycles.

Panellists explored the case for three- to five-year funding settlements to match the time needed to survey stock, design solutions, procure contractors and complete major programmes safely.

A consistent message was the importance of thoroughly understanding existing buildings before any works begin.

Scott Bradshaw told delegates that investing in surveys and robust pre-tender information can cut uncertainty, limit variations and help avoid additional costs once contractors are on site.

Tom Diamond stressed the value of maintaining a clear "golden thread" of building and fire-safety information, particularly for older homes where records of original construction, later alterations or product installations may be incomplete.

The AGM also considered how public procurement can create wider social value. Alan Karas highlighted SPA's Community Benefit Fund and the opportunity for public bodies to channel resources into projects that support wellbeing, skills, employability, social mobility and environmental outcomes. In the past year, £190,000 from SPA's Community Benefit Fund in Scotland supported 18 community projects nationwide.

As SPA celebrates a decade in Scotland, it reported that it has supported the procurement of around £2.7 billion of works and services, with sustained demand from housing associations, councils and other public bodies. Hundreds of projects are being registered through its frameworks, alongside a growing network of associate partners.

The organisation is now developing the next generation of procurement solutions, spanning public buildings, fire doors, windows and doors, housing, refurbishment, asset safety and compliance, and consultancy services.

Lesley added: "What came through strongly from the AGM is that building safety cannot be treated as a single project or a short-term response.

"It requires good information, strong procurement, technical expertise and long-term investment, but above all it requires organisations to keep the people living in and using these buildings at the heart of every decision.

"As we mark ten years, that collaborative approach will remain central to how we work with partners across Scotland."