Issue - meetings

Consideration of recommendation FRP 24/23 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select of 19 November 2024 in respect of a Procurement Strategy.

Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 24/23 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 November 2024 in respect of a draft Procurement Strategy.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and the legal implications and recognised that the Strategy not only ensured that best value from Borough Council contracts was achieved but mitigated the level of risk related to procurement on the Corporate Risk Register.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)             the draft Procurement Strategy, attached at Annex 1, be adopted; and

(2)             the Borough Council’s list of contractors be made available to parish/town councils. 

(Decision Notice D240134CAB)

Consideration was given to recommendation FRP 24/23 of the Finance, Regeneration and Property Scrutiny Select Committee of 19 November 2024 in respect of a draft Procurement Strategy.

Cabinet had due regard to the views of the Scrutiny Select Committee, the financial and value for money considerations and the legal implications and recognised that the Strategy not only ensured that best value from Borough Council contracts was achieved but mitigated the level of risk related to procurement on the Corporate Risk Register.

In addition, it was reported that Member training on procurement issues would be arranged, an action plan would be developed and an annual report on progress being made on procurement would be presented to the Audit Committee.

RESOLVED:   That

(1)             the draft Procurement Strategy, attached at Annex 1, be adopted; and

(2)             the Borough Council’s list of contractors be made available to parish/town councils. 

This report brings forward an updated draft Procurement Strategy for comment and recommendation to Cabinet

Consideration was given to the draft Procurement Strategy (attached at Annex 1) which was intended to ensure a more compliant and efficient approach to procurement, enable opportunities to extract added value and develop a more sustainable approach to procurement in the future.   The Strategy would also reflect major new procurement legislation being introduced by Government in 2025.

Particular reference was made to the Mid Kent Procurement Partnership which provided the Borough Council with support, guidance and experience.  Since May 2024 the Partnership had worked with Officers on the procurement of a number of contracts across the organisation including waste and recycling, litter enforcement, construction contracts and pest control.  A key priority for the new Partnership had been the production of a new Procurement Strategy.  

It was recognised that the Strategy ensured best value from Borough Council contracts was achieved, enabled services to continue to be delivered in increasingly challenging economic markets, supported best practice and compliance  and helped mitigate the level of risk related to procurement on the Corporate Risk Register.

Members welcomed the production of a Procurement Strategy as it addressed a strategic risk previously identified by external auditors.  On the grounds that parish and town councils were bound by the same procurement legislation as all public sector bodies, Cllr Palmer proposed that the list of contractors be made available to parish/town councils.  This was seconded by Cllr Bishop and supported by the Committee. 

*Recommended:   That

(1)             the draft Procurement Strategy, attached at Annex 1, be commended to Cabinet for adoption; and

(2)             the Borough Council’s list of contractors be made available to parish/town councils. 

*Recommended to Cabinet