Agenda item

A review of the Brent Council Procurement Strategy.

Councillor McLennan, Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Resources, introduced a report on the Council’s Procurement Strategy 2020-23. The Committee was then invited to raise questions on the report, which focused on a number of key areas as highlighted below:

·       In response to a question from the Committee, it was noted that the Council’s policy towards modern slavery could be found in its new Social Value and Ethical Procurement Policy, which formed part of the overall Procurement Strategy. It made clear the standards the Council had of the suppliers that it worked with. The Committee were assured that audits were also undertaken to ensure suppliers were abiding by these standards.

·       It was noted that while the Social Value and Ethical Procurement Policy was Brent specific, other local authorities were expected to be working towards similar policies. The Committee was assured that any procurement work undertaken with partners, such as those in the West London Alliance, would be subject to the Council’s policy should they not have their own.

·       While the Council had its own fair trade policy, it had to be selective when extending this policy to partners and suppliers as it had a responsibility to ensure cost effectiveness.

·       It was noted that the Council was looking at ways in which it could help communities to be involved in the ways in which it purchases its services and goods. The Committee was assured that an individual project lead, departmental leaders and the Black Cultural Network within the Council had been designated to take the recommendations of the Brent Black Community Action Plan forward, and these would be integrated into its procurement work.

·       The Council was looking to work with members to see what social value meant to them and how it could engage with local businesses and organisations to ensure social value was a consideration.

·       The Committee was assured that should a supplier be found to be in breach of the Council’s Social Value and Ethical Procurement Policy, it had the ability to take action accordingly to address that. The Council also had a responsibility in its due diligence work to ensure it was asking the right questions of suppliers so that it could ensure it did not happen or that it was quickly rectified.

·       It was suggested that the Council should look to award its future contracts to smaller businesses, and that it look into how Council contracts be made available to  local suppliers. It was also suggested that those contracts up for renewal within the next two to three years be subject to the same process.

·       It was noted that the Procurement Strategy lacked detailed information on how contracts would be monitored and that this would be looked at before it was taken to Cabinet. One of the processes it sought to bring in was a review process of each contract 18 months before it was due to be let.

Resolved

That it be recommended to Cabinet;

1.    That the Council’s policy on modern slavery be published on the Council website.

2.    That Brent Council’s Procurement Strategy include how fair trade is to be delivered.

3.    To consider how Council contracts may be made available to local suppliers smaller providers.

The Committee also made the following information requests:

1.    How modern slavery is to be included in the Council’s Procurement Strategy and priorities. 

2.    How fair trade is to be included in the Council’s Procurement Strategy and priorities. 

3.    A report to the Committee on the West London Alliance’s ethical procurement policies. 

4.    A report to the committee to consider the contracts to be reviewed over the next few years. 

5.    A report to the Committee on the implementation of the Procurement Strategy at six monthly intervals.