Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Procurement Manager regarding the Procurement Policy.

That the Council approves the Procurement Policy attached as Appendix 1 to the Officer’s report.

By way of a report from the Procurement Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), and having considered the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Economic Well-Being), the Cabinet received the Procurement Policy and recommended it to Council for approval.

The Procurement Policy outlined how the procurement function supported the Corporate Plan and Council’s objectives, whilst minimising risks and seeking value for money. 

The Policy described how the Council would manage procurement risk, the overarching EU principles, the Council’s approach to delivering value for money, helping local businesses compete for public spend and the performance and governance of procurement.

The Policy provided the structure and organisation of procurement and created a foundation to develop detailed plans and objectives for procurement.

Following discussions by the Cabinet it was explained that financial thresholds determined the process of procurement.  A value of £5,000 was able to be directly awarded whereas a value over £25,000 involved a formal process. 

The Cabinet expressed preference for procuring from local businesses to assist the local economy.  It was explained that the Council had to be impartial.  However, local businesses were provided with information regarding how the Council advertised in order that they could identify and bid for contracts and business opportunities.  Whereupon, the Cabinet

RECOMMENDED

that the Council approve the Procurement Policy attached as Appendix 1 to the Officer’s report.

To consider a report by the Procurement Manager requesting endorsement of a Procurement Policy.

(Councillor J A Gray, Executive Councillor for Resources, was in attendance for this item).

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) which sought approval for a Procurement Policy. The Panel has endorsed the contents of a Procurement Policy. The Policy outlined how procurement supported the Corporate Plan and the Council’s objectives. It went into detail on how procurement risk would be managed, on helping local businesses compete for public spend and on the performance and governance of procurement.

Members were informed that the Policy supported the achievement of savings, cost avoidance and additional income. It was be underpinned by the Code of Procurement and guidance for staff. In response to a question by Councillor Mrs A D Curtis, it was confirmed that, in addition to financial considerations, the Policy took into account other criteria such as security. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be recommended to approve the Procurement Policy.