Issue - meetings

The report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services is attached.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)              the adoption of the Procurement Strategy 2026–2030 at Appendix A to this report be approved; and

b)              the Implementation Plan and assurance reporting to Governance Scrutiny Group described in the Strategy at Appendix A to this report be noted.

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Councillor Virdi, presented the report of the Director – Finance and Corporate Services, which detailed the Procurement Strategy 2026-2030.

In introducing the report, Councillor Virdi thanked the Director – Finance and Corporate Services and the Finance Team for preparing the report and advised that the report set out how the Council would continue to ensure that procurement across the authority was transparent, compliant and delivered strong value for money. Procurement played an important role in supporting the delivery of the Corporate Strategy and ensuring the best use of public resources. The Strategy reflected the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023, with a clear emphasis on governance, social value and environmental responsibilities. The Strategy would strengthen the Council’s approach to contract management, recognising procurement as a strategic function. The Action Plan included in the Strategy set out practical steps the Council would take to strengthen procurement capability. Councillor Virdi reiterated that members’ role was to provide oversight, and whilst the report provided the operational framework, officers had delegated authority to make decisions. The Strategy recognised that working with third party suppliers was a legitimate mechanism to ensure effective service delivery. In conclusion, Councillor Virdi stated that the Strategy provided a clear framework showing how procurement would support the Council’s priorities going forward.   

In seconding the recommendation, Councillor Upton stated that the Strategy ensured the Council’s legal compliance and he noted that it had been written in conjunction with the Council’s procurement partner, Nottinghamshire County Council.

It was RESOLVED that:

a)              the adoption of the Procurement Strategy 2026–2030 at Appendix A to this report be approved; and

b)              the Implementation Plan and assurance reporting to Governance Scrutiny Group described in the Strategy at Appendix A to this report be noted.