Our Procurement Strategy

Hackney’s new Procurement Strategy sets out the key proposals for continued development of the Hackney’s procurement work over the next three years.  It provides a structured approach to move procurement forward in line with the following aim:

To deliver the Mayor’s Priorities, the Council’s strategic objectives and Best Value through a straightforward, professional and focussed approach to procurement

The key proposals are presented under three strategic themes on which the Council will focus:

Strategic Theme 1

Straightforward: To eliminate unnecessary burdens arising from the procurement and to make procurement and payment processes more effective through e-procurement

Strategic Theme 2

Professional: To ensure procurement and contract management skills are well embedded and distributed across the Council

Strategic Theme 3

Focussed: To use sound procurement practices and innovative procurement solutions to promote Sustainability and Best Value, in particular supporting the Best Use of Resources agenda and making use of collaboration and partnership opportunities.

The “Procurement Strategy” is the set of principles that will guide the management and ongoing development of the procurement service. Therefore:

The Council will:

• take a long term strategic view of its procurement needs while continually assessing, reviewing and auditing its procedures, strategy and objectives
• require that a proper business case is produced to support all significant procurement decisions and expect contracting activity to be as a result of competition
• assess all procurement proposals against a criteria that includes effectiveness, efficiency, best value,  sustainability and on the basis of whole life costs, providing this does not prejudice service delivery
• measure outcomes rather than outputs
• be a pragmatic and intelligent customer maximising the benefits offered by developing partnerships, embracing technology and harnessing economies of scale through consortia
• support the development and implementation of the procurement initiatives including the London Centre of Excellence for Procurement
• actively manage our supplier portfolio, including the requirements of the Equalities Standard for Local Government
• support, encourage and develop our staff, ensuring equality of opportunity for all
• ensure that each Director / Chief Officer is given the tools to discharge their responsibility for the procurement of goods, services and works within their Directorate
• Comply with any legislation, corporate policies or other requirements relevant to our activities, ensuring that all officers responsible for procurement and contract management are aware of and adhere to the requirements of European and UK law, the Council’s Standing Orders, required standards and best practice
• require Directorates to programme and manage their procurements in accordance with, Procurement Board, Cabinet Procurement Committee and Cabinet timetables
• ensure that risk is identified, assessed and managed at all stages of the procurement process
• ensure that every procurement is led and managed by an appropriate officer, is allocated a suitable contract manager and that records are properly maintained, decisions recorded and clear audit trails exist to ensure openness, propriety and probity
• have regard to all aspects of sustainability
• participate in partnerships and shared services where these can deliver overall service improvements and provide value for money

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Page updated: 28 Mar 2008