Decision details

Cabinet received a report of the Corporate Procurement Manager which included a new Procurement Strategy.

The Mayor commented that a lot of work had been done to get to this stage.  He invited Councillor Watkin to provide further details about the report.

Councillor Watkin thanked the council’s Procurement Manager for his work on the new strategy.  The new Procurement Strategy would support the Council Plan and its key themes.  There were six key objectives to be adopted across the organisation.  These included achieving best value, ensuring contractors paid above the national living wage and treated employees fairly, mitigating against any negative environmental impacts, supporting local businesses where possible, transparent procedures and finally looking for added social value at little or no additional cost to the council.  The strategy set out how these would be delivered.  The strategy would be monitored by the Procurement Manager but all procurement across the authority had to abide by it.

The Mayor welcomed the support for local small and medium enterprises. 

Councillor Stotesbury commented that the document was critical as it set out the areas referred to by the Portfolio Holder.  It also was reflected across all strategies.  It was important that it highlighted the climate and social value.

Councillor Bell said he agreed with much of what had been said, especially the reference to social value and national living wage.  He asked for clarification on the national living wage and contractors.

The Mayor confirmed that prospective contractors would be required to pay their employees the national living wage as a minimum.

RESOLVED –

That the Procurement Strategy, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.