Oakmere Homes – Modern Slavery Statement 2023
This statement is published in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the “Act”) and made on behalf of Oakmere Homes (Northwest) Ltd and all of its subsidiaries. This is the first statement by the group pursuant section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ended 31 March 2023.
Oakmere Homes is a regional house builder with its head office in Kendal. Our business involves buying land, obtaining planning consents, designing, building and selling residential properties within North-West England, our group also owns a rental property portfolio.
The company directly employs administrative staff at its head office and most workers on our construction sites are sub-contractors or agency employees. The materials we use to build homes are sourced from external suppliers, the vast majority of which originate in the UK. Our operations mean that we have no direct contact with countries that are generally regarded as being the most likely to have a risk of modern slavery and/or human trafficking.
Oakmere Homes recognises its responsibility to prevent forced labour and human trafficking in all its forms within its business operations and supply chains. We are committed to trading responsibly and ethically and respecting human rights.
Our Policies and Due Diligence
We are committed as a company to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking and to work with suppliers and sub-contractors who share this commitment. Our direct employees are paid at a level exceeding The Living Wage and our Equality Policy states that all employees will be treated fairly and with respect.
We verify that all employees have the right to work in the UK upon commencement of their employment and make them all aware of their working hours, leave and absence entitlements via their employment statement.
We require our suppliers and subcontractors to ensure that their workers have the right to work in the UK, confirm that they do not charge their workers a work finding fee and have procedures in place to minimise the risk of recruiting forced labour including private site inductions for new workers starting on our schemes.
The Company has a whistleblowing policy and management are required to investigate and, where necessary, take appropriate action on any concerns expressed.
Proposals for 2023-24
Over the coming year we commit to raise the profile of modern slavery with our workforce and suppliers and promote whistleblowing of any concerns.
This statement has been approved by the board of directors of Oakmere Homes (Northwest) Ltd on 3rd April 2023 and is signed by the Managing Director, Gary Middlebrook.