Issue - meetings

The Strategic Procurement Team is supporting the Cabinet Member for Finance & Efficiency to review and update the Council’s “Think Local” Procurement Strategy. The Council will launch a revised 3 year strategy in 2017/2018 and is seeking the views of the Resources Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel.

Richard Howroyd Head of Strategic Procurement & Commissioning gave a presentation to the Panel which covered the following (The slides for this presentation are attached to the agenda papers for this meeting):

·  Procurement Strategy 2013-2017

·  A success story

·  Service Plan Priorities

·  Horizon Scanning

·  Modern Slavery Act

·  Requirements

·  National Procurement Strategy

·  Spend Analysis Opportunities

·  Systems Integration

·  Portfolio Analysis – Drive for Savings and Efficiency

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor Barrett asked if there is a target percentage of local providers. The officer explained that this target has moved from 28% to 40%. He explained that there has been a positive response at roadshows. He stated that input from members is welcome.

Councillor Sandry asked how ‘social value’ is measured. The officer explained that it is a new initiative so guidance is not yet out, social value can be interpreted widely.

Following a query from Councillor Sandry, the officer explained that tenders go through the South West Portal and anything under EU thresholds goes out to tender as pre-qualification cannot now be used. The e-procurement system has just been updated.

Councillor Dando asked the following questions and officers provided answers as shown:

·  Can we have an update report that shows some examples of successes? The officer agreed that examples could be shown and gave a current example of local food for schools where he is working with local farmers and a distribution centre in Keynsham;

·  Is there a cost benefit analysis on what has been brought back into the local community? The officer noted the point but explained that it is difficult to measure data at the moment but this is being worked on.

·  Have any lessons been learned to feed into the development of the new strategy? The officer explained that there are now new contract standing orders and another lesson is that it takes time to talk to the community and to provide support to local businesses.

Councillor Pearce stated that the concept of ‘social value’ could conflict with other objectives and asked the officer where the line is drawn in order to get the best deal for BANES Council tax payers. The officer responded that he believes that we are getting the best deals and there are examples of contracts have got cheaper due to more efficiency and also money is being put back into the local economy. The Strategic Director added that it is a dilemma between savings and value but that generating growth in local businesses increases business rates and creates local jobs. He explained that the Cabinet can review this policy if it is not working.