To consider the Procurement Strategy for 2010-13.

1.  That the Procurement Strategy 2010-2013, as attached at Appendix A to the report of the Head of Business Improvement, be approved.

2.  That the Council be recommended to adopt the Procurement Strategy 2010-2013, as attached at Appendix A to the report of the Head of Business Improvement.

The previous procurement strategy, adopted in 2007, was successful in many ways in supporting the Council’s vision, by providing a framework for ensuring value for money, supporting the local economy and businesses, streamlining back office processes and improving procurement awareness throughout the Council.

The new procurement strategy seeks to build on the successes of the previous strategy and sets the following key objectives:

?  Ensure that procurement activity supports the Council’s vision and priorities;

?  Ensure value for money;

?  Embed sustainability into the procurement process;

?  Increase the success rate of local businesses;

?  Promote socially responsible procurement;

?  Extend partnership working to provide better value for money.

To achieve these objectives, we will focus on:

?  Promotion of sustainability and environmental issues throughout the procurement process;

?  Encouraging participation of small and medium enterprises and local businesses;

?  Ensuring that equality of opportunity is considered in specifications and addressed by suppliers;

?  Partnership working with other local authorities

Consultation with Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee took place on 2^nd February 2010. The committee supported the strategy and made one recommendation regarding the incorporation of training of new staff with procurement responsibilities into the induction process. This has now been done. The Scrutiny Committee Recommendation Action and Implementation Plan is attached as Appendix B to the report of the Head of Business Improvement.

The Council could choose not to develop a Procurement Strategy, however, such an action is contrary to good practice.

Consultation with Overview & Scrutiny