Agenda item

To review and approve the proposed Corporate Procurement Strategy, Policies and Procedures and agree that these should be implemented accordingly.

Hilary Gillies, Corporate Procurement Manager, outlined the proposed strategy which aimed to ensure the Council achieved value for money, whilst considering local suppliers and the wider local economy to encourage economic recovery within the borough.  The revised procedures would improve the social, economic and environmental impact of the Council’s procurement activities.

Hilary Gillies advised that as a result of a change in contract standing orders from July 2021 any procurement of £5,000 or less had to be sourced from local suppliers.  The Committee requested that data recording the number of local companies that benefited from this new process was kept.  A further suggestion was made that the threshold should be increased from £5,00 to £10,000 and it was agreed to consider this at the next meeting of the Committee in order to allow the Corporate Procurement Manager time to consider and report on this proposal.  Any change would require a recommendation to Council for adoption as changes to Contract Standing Orders fell within their remit.

Alternative options considered and rejected by the Committee:

1.    Do nothing

2.    Approve the documents with suggested amendments

The Committee resolved to approve the proposed Corporate Procurement Strategy, Policies and Procedures and that these should be implemented accordingly.

Reason for decision:

The Corporate Procurement Strategy, Policy and Procedures provide strategic intentions and guidance for all of Spelthorne’s procurement activity, linked to the revised Contract Standing Orders, approved by Council on 15 July.

The documents will support the delivery of improved value for money, enable local economic recovery and provide enhanced contract compliance through our procured contracts, whilst also addressing actions recommended by the Internal Audit.