The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) presenting the revised Council Procurement and Contact Management Strategy 2023-26.

Resolved:

1. That the Council Procurement and Contact Management Strategy 2023-26, set out at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

2. That it be noted that once the Government have concluded the Public Procurement Reform (expected in 2024), officers will ensure that any other necessary changes to the Council’s procurement processes will be delivered.

3. That it be noted that delivery of this strategy will be through the objectives set within the Corporate Procurement Service Plan which will be revised on an annual basis.

Reasons for decision:

The approval of the Council’s Procurement and Contract Management Strategy is required as the current strategy expired in 2020/21.  The strategy is one of the key tools to support the delivery of the Council’s and city’s priorities.

Other options:

1. Continue with the current strategy but this is now out of date and is no longer fit for purpose given the changing priorities and national context the Council is now operating in.

2. Decide to not have a Procurement and Contract Management Strategy but this will have a financial, local economic and environmental impact and create even more pressure on already stretched resources.

Note: This is an Executive Function

This matter is not eligible for call-in as it has been the subject of pre-Cabinet scrutiny by the  Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Lamb