Decision details

This report presents the Responsible Procurement and Commissioning (RPC) Strategy for approval.

RESPONSIBLE PROCUREMENT AND COMMISSIONING STRATEGY

Report of the Executive Director of Finance and Resources

Councillor Hug invited Councillor Boothroyd to introduce this report.

Councillor Boothroyd told Cabinet that how the council works with local business is crucial to making a positive change for local communities. In everything it does the Council must work to protect vulnerable people, protect the environment and help build the local economy. The most direct impact the Council has on businesses is when procuring goods and services.

Cabinet heard that this suite of documents helps to promote community wealth building, to deliver social value and promote high standards of conduct.

Councillor Boothroyd went on to thank Councillor Ellie Ormsby, Deputy Cabinet Member for Procurement and Finance for working with officers to bring forward these documents which include the first ever modern slavery statement from the City of Westminster.

In seeking more responsible procurement we have always been mindful that in most cases the most responsible suppliers with the best environmental and social approach will be local businesses based in our diverse city. We have been careful therefore not to add to their difficulties in running a business by setting an onerous compliance regime.

Councillor Hug invited Gerald Almeroth, Executive Director for Finance and Resources to comment on the report.

Gerald explained that the Council did have a previous Responsible Procurement Strategy that was set in February under the previous administration and that the aim in bringing forward this new strategy was to move it on to encapsulate Fairer Westminster objectives.

Cabinet heard that this year, the minimum RPC weighting was increased from 5% to between 10-20%, depending on the nature of the contract. Gerald told Cabinet that progress on this will be reviewed and continue to be evaluated with the intention of working towards an increase of a minimum 20-30% by 2025/26. The strategy will be updated to include this intention and a copy of the revised strategy will be made available on-line with the papers for this meeting.

Councillor Hug asked that aside from working to communicate the detail of the strategy to business thought is also given as to how we include this work in wider communications on changes being made as a result of Fairer Westminster ambitions.

Councillor Barraclough told Cabinet colleagues that he warmly welcomed this new strategy and that he agrees with the approach taken by Councillor Boothroyd in cutting down on bureaucracy to encourage small businesses to take up public sector contracts. 

RESOLVED:CABINET APPROVED THE RECOMMENDATIONS SET OUT IN SECTION 2, PAGE 173