Outstanding public procurement saves millions

A partnership of eight local authorities has been praised for saving £4.5million of public money.

The group of councils from Bromsgrove, Malvern Hills, North Warwickshire, Redditch, Warwick, Worcester, Wychavon, and Wyre Forest took second place at the 2011 Society of Purchasing Officers’ award for Outstanding Achievement in Procurement.

The group was recognised for breaking down barriers between traditionally separate local authorities to collaborate, with regular meetings held at rotating venues seeing decades of professional expertise and experience held by the councils shared in an open and transparent forum.

Examples of the group’s collaborative procurements include an award-winning £1.7m saving on insurance services (including Staffordshire Moorlands District Council), over £250,000 saved on stationery and employing casual staff, and almost £500,000 saved on trade waste collection services. Local taxpayers in the collaborating areas have saved at least £4.5m since 2006.

Councillor Nathan Desmond, Wyre Forest District Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Resources and Transformation said, “Collaborative procurement is simple enough in practical terms, the real challenge to overcome is cultural.

“The benefits of collaborative procurement are clear and we are delighted the Society of Purchasing Officers has recognised our work in this way.”

The group also better supports small to medium enterprises, particularly local and start up businesses, to secure business from the public sector. With more consistent advice, paperwork and systems across the area, local business can be more informed and confident in how and where to tender for contracts.

The expanded group continues to identify opportunities for goods and services that are opportunities for collaborative contract action.

Date of issue - 16th December 2011