Published on:
06
December 2012
Clackmannanshire Council has stressed its commitment to support local businesses and help them to obtain Council contracts.
As part of its commitment to good public sector governance, the Council has implemented a number of key changes over the last 24 months.
One of the changes was the setting up of a new Governance Service, of which corporate procurement forms part.
In March this year the Council approved a new Governance Strategy and Local Code of Governance.
Following on from that the first report of its kind entitled "Procurement Health Check Report" was tabled before the Council's Resource and Audit Committee today (Thursday).
The purpose of that report was to advise the committee of progress since it was set up.
Welcoming the report, Resources and Audit Committee Convener, Councillor Archie Drummond said: "This is a first and something we are proud of implementing. We will be seen to be open, transparent and doing everything right to stimulate the local economy with better access.
"We offer open and fair access to contract opportunities for companies of all sizes. We recognise the tendering process can be an onerous one for suppliers but this Council is committed to supporting them by providing clarity in our tender documents, and where to find Council tenders.
"Clackmannanshire Business regularly arrange supplier events with the aim of assisting businesses to become more capable of accessing and competing for public sector contracts.
"We intend to proactively support new businesses and existing businesses by reducing, where we can, bureaucracy and red tape, and to assist as many local businesses as possible to obtain Council contracts."
Procurement is a key activity within the Council and an effective and consistent corporate approach to the function supports sound financial stewardship and creates opportunities for securing savings and efficiencies.
Councillor Drummond added: "It is intended to maximise all monies spent by the Council through the adoption of the "Procurement Journey" to assist as many local businesses as possible to obtain Council contracts."
The proposed increased use of ClacksWeb will improve and support communication to external suppliers. It will also provide easy access to information currently requested via Freedom of Information requests.