Agenda item

There will be a presentation at the meeting.

The Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainable Travel (& Deputy Leader), Councillor Sarah Warren introduced the report. Richard Howroyd, Head of Strategic Procurement and Commissioning, gave a presentation to the Panel and covered the following points:

·  Context and Procurement’s Strategic Role in achieving CNZ and Sustainability ambitions

·  National Procurement Policy Statement (05/21)

·  Procurement Framework and Operating Model

·  Local Authority Role

·  Structure of Climate Emergency Procurement Strategy

·  Core Policy One – Objectives 1 to 4

·  Core Policy Two – Giving People a Bigger Say

·  Principle One – Preparing for the Future

·  Principle Two – Deliver for Local Residents

·  Principle Three – Focus on Prevention

·  What’s in a Name?

·  Sample Outcomes of Strategy

·  Initial responses to consultation (internal)

·  Background publications

Panel members raised the following point and asked the following questions:

(Officer responses shown in italics)

Councillor Walker asked for an example of how the Council can influence the market. The officer explained that this can be done through supplier engagement events. An example would be the locally produced food strategy – we developed this and it is now going national. Also social, residential and care home contracts have clauses around the Climate Emergency.

Councillor Johnson mentioned the NFU ‘Back British Farming’ campaign and asked what communication/consultation had been done with local famers in BANES and in the South West. The officer explained that the South West Food Hub had been used for supplier/producer and buyer engagement. There are regular events which are shown on their website. We have had good engagement with the NFU and Soil Association – there has been an issue during the pandemic, the Crown Commercial Services (CCC) backlog is getting back on track

Councillor Johnson asked if we have leverage to change contracts that are already in place and if we can track the effects of the changes (for Climate Emergency purposes). The officer explained that many suppliers are already working towards this. It can be difficult to change depending on the details of the specification.

Councillor Wright raised the following points:

·  Procurement is part of state capitalism, there are competing values – Climate Emergency as a baseline is a distraction. The officer explained that the Council can use its influence, sometimes affordability is an issue but sustainability is key.

·  What are the next steps? The officer explained that there had been officer consultation, this Panel and then Senior Leadership Team. Next month the item is on the workplan for the Corporate PDS Panel and will then go to Cabinet.

·  Has this been to the Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing PDS Panel. The officer explained that there is a separate piece of work regarding Adult and Child care but it could go to the Panel if that would be valuable.  Councillor Walker stated that she would raise this at the PDS Chairs and Vice Chairs meeting next week.

Councillor O Brien stated that some retailers had already started making local connections. She mentioned that the Planning Committee had refused an application for an allotment. She added that other local authorities and WECA could be a large buying group. The officer agreed that collaborative working was useful.

Councillor Dr Kumar asked how people will have their say regarding procurement. He added that the policy should be about thinking and acting local. He asked how local enterprises are supported. The officer commented that we need to think globally and make the right decision in who we buy from.

Councillor Hirst mentioned ‘Think Climate’ and stated that this is an important piece of work, he asked the following:

·  Why do you want to move from £50k to £75/£100k? The officer explained that this would depend on our risk appetite, balancing with value for money and also how we define local. We are waiting for the new regulations from the Government which we hope will give more flexibility.

·  What are the opportunities for us to drive down journey times? The officer that much of the area is rural so this is difficult, we are reviewing the use of technology but carers need to drive to see people.

·  Opportunities around influencing waste and packaging? Yes, we give this consideration. An example would be that we stopped using a stationary supplier that had next day delivery.

·  Could we use an accreditation scheme?

Councillor Johnson asked if the procurement strategy could carry over the community wealth strategy. The officer stated that he supported the Cleveland model and that we need to be innovative.

The Chair confirmed that the officer had noted the Panel’s input on this item.