To adopt and implement a new Procurement Strategy for 2023-2026.  

1.     That the Procurement Strategy detailed at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

2.     That the feedback provided by Overview Committee be noted.

A report was presented to enable consideration of the adoption and implementation of a new Procurement Strategy for 2023-2026.

In March 2023, Council approved its Annual Delivery Plan 23/24, (Council Minute No. 70 refers) which included a specific action to bring forward a Procurement Strategy for adoption.  This was also a key strand of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Business Case, recognising that through joint procurement the Councils could deliver significant savings.

The Strategy was particularly important at this time, given the scale of projects the Council had underway through the Towns’ Fund and Levelling Up Agendas; and the associated joint procurement opportunities with its partner Councils.  The combined spend of the Partnership Councils on capital projects in the coming years would be in excess of £100million.

The purpose of this report was to present to Executive Board the Procurement Strategy for the period 2023 – 2026.  The Council had not had a Procurement Strategy in place for a number of years, therefore, the strategy would provide a clear direction throughout the next 3 years.

The Executive Board was asked to approve the Procurement Strategy at Appendix 1.

RESOLVED

1.     That the Procurement Strategy detailed at Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

2.     That the feedback provided by Overview Committee be noted.

Reasons:

To ensure that the Council has a clear Procurement Strategy for the next 3 years.

To agree a single approach to procurement across the Partnership that maximises the savings opportunities for the Councils.

To ensure compliance with audit requirements as some of the Partner Councils have had audit recommendations to update their Procurement Strategies.

To help support key Council priorities, such as sourcing local suppliers, procuring sustainably and ethically.

Other options:

To do nothing – this would result in the Council continuing to have no formal Procurement Strategy in place.