RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE – 20 MARCH 2003
BEST VALUE REVIEW OF PROCUREMENT SERVICES –
FINAL SCOPE
Strategic Director of
Finance & Information
REASON FOR SELECT
COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION
This Scoping document has been submitted to the Committee for approval. It outlines the areas to be examined within the Best Value Review of Procurement Services and the main stakeholders to be consulted. The Committee has already highlighted Members who are interested in participating in the Review, alongside the portfolio holder. Members with a leading role in procurement issues will be aware that the authority will be undergoing a Procurement Fitness Check by the Improvement & Development Agency in July 2003, procurement being high on the Government’s agenda for review.
ACTION REQUIRED BY THE SELECT COMMITTEE
1) Approval by the Select Committee, subject
to any suggested amendments
2) Consideration
of appointment of a Lead Member for the Review
3) To
receive a brief outline of progress and of the IDeA Fitness Check requirements
BACKGROUND
This is the Scoping
document for this 4th year Best Value Review and has been given
priority by Members and Directors. The Review will be wide ranging, but it is
too early to estimate the likely outcomes and options that will emerge.
RELEVANT PLANS,
POLICIES, STRATEGIES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
There have been two previous Best Value Reviews covering procurement,
namely Social Services Contracting & Commissioning and Fire Procurement.
Members have recently approved the Council’s Procurement Strategy. There are no
specific performance indicators for procurement.
CONSULTATION
PROCESS
The Scoping issues have been discussed with The Procurement Best Value Appraisal Group and Project Team. The main stakeholders to be consulted are listed in the Scoping document. Two questions have recently been submitted to the MORI Citizens Panel. Stakeholders will be consulted widely during the Review, including being invited to challenge the way the Council currently undertakes its procurement activities.
FINANCIAL, LEGAL,
CRIME AND DISORDER IMPLICATIONS
Better procurement can obviously result in efficiency savings, but it
would be difficult to specify these at this stage. When examining the Council’s
contracting procedures and practices, compliance with legal requirements will
be of critical importance. The authority’s openness and transparency in
contracting are also essential. No Crime and Disorder issues are envisaged in
the Scope of the Review, but these are considered in some of the day to day
procurement activities, eg designing out crime / disorder when specifying new
buildings etc.
APPENDICES
ATTACHED
The Scoping document is attached.
BACKGROUND PAPERS
USED IN THE PREPARATION OF THIS REPORT
The Council’s
Procurement Strategy
Contact Points : Bob Streets (Project Leader), ext 3622 e-mail [email protected]
Steve Milford (Best
Value Facilitator), ext 3620 e-mail
steve.milford @iow.gov.uk