Decision details

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Reynolds)

Cabinet received a report from the Director of Corporate Services which sought approval of a revised strategy and action plan for procurement to cover the next four years. Whilst the strategy maintained a focus on value for money in procurement decisions, it also set out the importance of the Council’s procurement to the local economy and an ambition to maximise expenditure with local organisations, enhance community wealth building and seek increased social value from spending decisions.

The Cabinet member with responsibility confirmed that consideration would be given to involving and updating the Budget & Performance Panel in relation to the process and procedure.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

The officer preferred option is Option 1. Approval of the Procurement Strategy will allow for the action plan to be implemented which will deliver a more proactive approach to procurement and demonstrable improvements in social value arising from expenditure decisions.

Councillor Reynolds proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)             That the Procurement Strategy and action plan for 2020-2024 be adopted.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Director of Corporate Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The Procurement Strategy will assist in the delivery of the Council’s recently adopted priorities:

An Inclusive and Prosperous Local Economy

 advocating for fair employment and just labour markets that increase prosperity and reduce income inequality

  supporting new and existing enterprises in sustainable innovation and the strengthening of local supply networks 

The objectives set out in the Procurement Strategy cover the maximisation of social value benefits. This will include incorporating adoption of fair work charter in the evaluation criteria. The objectives also set out how the Council will support local businesses and this will include developing local frameworks and supply chains.

A Sustainable District

  net zero carbon by 2030 while supporting other individuals, businesses and organisations across the district to reach the same goal

Minimisation of environmental impact will be incorporated into evaluation criteria.

A Co-operative, Kind and Responsible Council

  providing value for money and ensuring that we are financially resilient and sustainable 

The objectives set out in the Procurement Strategy cover maximising value for money as well as delivering wider economic, environmental and social outcomes. In addition to assisting the delivery of priorities, the Procurement Strategy will focus on the key corporate themes of Climate Emergency and Community Wealth Building via the adoption of relevant measures to be included in evaluation criteria.