Agenda item

This report seeks to introduce and approve the establishment of the 2025-2030 Procurement Strategy.

Discussion:

The Head of Category Management introduced the report. The proposals placed an emphasis on delivering the best value for the Council with focusing on innovation and bespoke strategy on a project-to-project basis.

The following issues were discussed:

Risks to the Council – in response to a question how the Council minimised risk the Head of Category Management stated that the service undertook pre-emptive work to minimise the risk to the Council and good contract management ensured the project remained fit for purpose. He added that no action against the Council had taken place during his time at the Council.

Review of Progress – it was asked how progress would be monitored. In response the Head of Category Management stated that an annual report outlining progress against the strategy would be considered by the Committee.

Local businesses – The Committee discussed how the Procurement Strategy could promote local business, employment in Medway and apprenticeships. The Head of Category Management stated that the Council would promote positive links with local businesses. Social value was an important consideration in procurement, and this included employment in the area and apprenticeships. However, in making decisions the Council needed to consider social value against the cost of a scheme and the service was keen to measure this effectively. The Head of Category Management undertook to consider how the strategy could prioritise local suppliers whilst considering projects on a case-by-case basis.

It was asked how the Council could avoid reinforcing any bias and power structures already in place through its social value criteria. The Head of Category Management stated that each scheme would be reviewed on a project-by-project basis to ensure it was tailored to meet the needs of the Council and in this way would ensure that decision making did not reinforce current structures.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) – It was asked how the Council could help promote SMEs, the Head of Category Management stated that the Council held discussions with small businesses about the barriers to market and discussed the Council’s needs with them, prior to schemes going to tender.

Resources – in response to a question whether the service had the resources it needed to fulfil the proposed strategy, the Head of Category Management stated that the service was adequately resourced and was undertaking artificial intelligence (AI) and other training to improve the service. In addition the service had held some early discussions with Medway 2.0 to look at opportunities related to digital transformation.

Suppliers – in response to a question whether the Council could ensure that sustainable and ethical standards were in place across the supply chain, the Head of Category Management stated that the Council had outlined the criteria for a good supplier and undertook to share this with the Committee. The Council undertook a collaborative approach to ensuring goals such as lower emissions were met.

Decision:

a)          The Committee noted the 2025-2030 Procurement Strategy and provided its comments to Cabinet.

b)          The Committee supported the proposal of annual reporting of the deliverables.