Issue - meetings

Report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Communities is attached.

Councillor Richard Gold, Cabinet Member for Finance and Communities, presented the report which set out proposals for a new Procurement Strategy for Bury Council. The current Procurement Strategy ‘Buying into Bury’ expired in 2015 and required a comprehensive review for it to be a more strategic approach rather than operational and to bring it up to date. In response to Members’ questions it was noted that although a full refresh had not been undertaken since 2015, improvements and revisions had been undertaken by degrees, and the move to STAR procurement had offered the best opportunity for a full review to ensure strategic consistency.

In response to further questions, it was noted that although it would not be on the scale of larger Councils, Bury did have the digital capacity to strengthen and maximise the use of the e-tendering platform and opportunities to streamline processes through digitalisation. With regards to learning from other organisations, it was noted that a wealth of national, regional and local strategies and legislation influenced procurement activity.

Decision:

Cabinet:

1.    Noted the content of the report; and

2.    Approved the new Bury Procurement Strategy.

Reasons for the decision:

The current Procurement Strategy expired in 2015 and requires significant updating as it contained out-dated information and included significant operational activity rather than setting the strategic approach and direction. The proposed approach recognises the devolved procurement approach adopted in Bury and reflects national best practice as well as local priorities.

Alternative options considered and rejected:

N/A - This report provided up to date and appropriate Procurement Strategy that reflects national best practice and local priorities. The strategy is high level and has been future proofed to allow for any immediate changes in procurement i.e. new Regulations.