Issue - meetings

This report seeks approval for the Procurement Strategy 2020-2023, which outlines the Council’s procurement priorities under five pillars: community wealth building, sustainability, circular economy, social value and ethical policy, and active procurement.

Having noted the intention to incorporate the recommendations made by the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee when considering the strategy at their meeting on 1 October 2020, Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Procurement Strategy 2020-2023 as set out in Appendix A of the report.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor Margaret McLennan introduced the report seeking approval for the 2020-2023 procurement strategy. Cabinet heard that the strategy not only maintained the previous commitment to ensuring value for money but also added a greater focus to how procurement could support residents and enhance the services they received. This would be achieved through the five core pillars of sustainable procurement, community wealth building, active procurement, circular economy and social value. Members noted that the strategy had been presented and discussed in depth at the Resources and Public Realm Scrutiny Committee meeting on 1^st October 2020, with their recommendations accepted and incorporated as part of the development of the strategy. In concluding her introduction, Councillor McLennan thanked officers for their commitment to ensuring procurement worked for Brent residents. 

In giving their endorsement to the strategy and its aims, Cabinet expressed support for the alignment of the strategy with the remaining term of the Borough Plan along with the focus on recent significant events including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the local economy and supplier base as well as the Black Community Action Plan, Climate Emergency Action Plan and other key Council priorities including how the outcomes would support the recommendations of the Poverty Commission. Members also noted the potential for the strategy to promote Brent Works, as a local jobs brokerage scheme, and in supporting the Council’s commitment to community wealth building and revival of the local economy.

Having noted the intention to incorporate the recommendations made by the Resources & Public Realm Scrutiny Committee when considering the strategy at their meeting on 1 October 2020, Cabinet RESOLVED to approve the Procurement Strategy 2020-2023 as set out in Appendix A of the report.