Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 25 March 2009 and their comments will be reported.

(Report circulated)

The report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services was submitted seeking approval for a Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Strategy, reporting to Members progress made against last year’s Procurement Action Plan and outlining the Action Plan for 2009/10.

The Director Corporate Services reported on amendments to the Strategy reflecting changes in legislation, requirements from the mock inspection of Housing Services and in preparation for the outcome of the Local Government review.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 25 March 2009 and the support and comments of Members were noted.

A member emphasised the importance of supporting local businesses and the Director Corporate Services responded that this was acknowledged and incorporated in the Procurement Strategy.

Executive noted the progress made to date and recommended that the Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Strategy 2009/12 and Action Plan for 2009/10 be approved.

The report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services was submitted seeking approval for a Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Strategy, reporting to Members progress made against last year’s Procurement Action Plan and outlining the Action Plan for 2009/10.

The Director Corporate Services reported on amendments to the Strategy reflecting changes in legislation, requirements from the mock inspection of Housing Services and in preparation for the outcome of the Local Government review.

Scrutiny Committee – Resources considered the report at their meeting on 25 March 2009 and the support and comments of Members were noted.

A member emphasised the importance of supporting local businesses and the Director Corporate Services responded that this was acknowledged and incorporated in the Procurement Strategy.

RECOMMENDED that the progress made to date be noted and the Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Strategy 2009/12 and Action Plan for 2009/10 be approved.

(Report circulated)

To consider the report of the Head of Contracts and Direct Services – report circulated

The Head of Contract and Direct Services presented the report seeking approval for a Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Strategy, updating Members on the progress made against last year’s Procurement Action Plan and outlining the Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Action Plan for 2009/10.

Following the Council’s Strategic Review of Procurement, a Procurement Strategy had been adopted in November 2004. A report was presented to this committee on 9 March 2008, which detailed the progress against the 2007/08 action plan and identified areas where further work was envisaged in the coming year.  This partly informed the basis of the Procurement Action Plan for 2008/09.

The strategy had been widely consulted on.  Internal consultees included all Heads of Service, officers with specific purchasing and related specialisms such as health and safety, trade unions and the Procurement Group.  Additional consultation had been undertaken with potential and existing suppliers and partners. The Council continued to work with small businesses in Exeter and the surrounding region to increase their involvement in bidding for work.  This was being expanded to involve the voluntary and community sector. 

In answer to Members’ questions, the Head of Contracts and Direct Services clarified that the Green Accord had three different levels of accreditation and that from experience it was the larger companies that did not pass the accreditation rather than local small businesses.

Scrutiny Committee - Resources noted the progress made to date; supported the Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Action Plan for 2009/10 and recommended to the Executive that it approve the Sustainable Procurement and Commissioning Strategy.

(Report circulated)