Corporate Procurement

1.1. This Annual Procurement Strategy has been prepared to support and promote the policies, processes and procedures of an effective procurement approach as reflected in the changing legislative procurement environment and aligned to our existing Organisational Local Outcome Improvement Programme and Strategic Improvement Plans.

1.2. In recognition of the changing landscape post Corona Virus 2019, the additional pressures placed on Local Authorities, and challenging resource considerations to manage increasing and developing priorities, a light approach has been taken to the 2025-2026 Strategy review.  It is intended that a further review will follow, capturing relevant actions and considerations within the current working environment.

1.3. This refreshed strategy sets out the objectives of the Corporate Procurement Team for the period 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026, as required by the Guidance under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014, and in support of national and organisational priorities.

1.4. This strategy will support the achievement of the delivery of efficient and effective public services, best value, and aligned to best practice and procurement legislation.

1.5. Our aim is to continue to develop and implement an effective procurement approach by:

• Setting out clear strategic objectives
• Embedding a continuous improvement approach to procurement 
• Delivering savings and efficiencies
• Maximising opportunities to collaborate, innovate and deliver efficiencies
• Increasing opportunities to Supported Businesses, Social Enterprises, local and SME suppliers to access public sector contracts
• Directing focus on sustainable procurement, including the identification and delivery of community benefits
• Supporting a sustainable economic environment
• Working within the Organisational Net Carbon Zero/Climate Action Plan

2.1. This Procurement Strategy has been prepared in the context of the Council’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan, Strategic Improvement Plans, Organisational Transformation Agenda, Climate Action Planning, Circular Economy Strategy, Community Wealth Building workstreams, and the financial climate of austerity. It directs Procurement practice to maximise impact and benefit to East Dunbartonshire and the Communities it serves, delivering commercial excellence through successful delivery and achievement of a continuous approach to improvement and adding value. The strategy includes priorities, objectives and outcome targets to cover the reporting period through the effective implementation of the Procurement Strategy and Governance Framework. 

2.2. This strategy delivery will be through building on both internal and external partnerships, with Procurement a key enabler within the Organisational Transformation Programme. 

2.3. Corporate Procurement sits in alignment with the Transformation Programme and this strategy will capture and support continuous improvement, financial benefits and wider organisational objectives. 

2.4. The council currently spends approximately £170m on supplies, services and works annually.  This sum is governed by the legislative framework which includes:

• Directives
• Regulations, incl Scottish Procurement Policy Notes
• Case Law
• Council Administrative Scheme
• Council Contract Standing Orders
• Procurement Guidance Notes.

2.5. The Procurement Strategy 2013-2016, aligned to Council objectives, delivered an improved Corporate Procurement approach. This resulted in the updated Procurement Strategy for 2015-2018, which has now been replaced with the publication and implementation of the Annual Procurement Strategy in alignment to the Procurement Strategy and Governance approach, aligning to Organisational objectives and in support of Strategic portfolios, with the Procurement Strategy and Governance Framework supporting the delivery of the Corporate Procurement Teams objectives within the wider organisation. 

2.6. Achieved objectives of previous Strategies included:

• Improved performance in the procurement capability assessment
• Procurement compliance, visibility and transparency embedded
• Implementation and adoption of eProcurement system
• Procurement aligned within the Organisational Transformation Strategic Grouping.

3.1. The council has the following three key strategic Procurement objectives which supports Scottish Governments programme to ‘deliver procurement that improves public services for a prosperous, fairer and more sustainable Scotland’:

• Governance and Compliance
• Added Value & Best Value
• Support a sustainable economic environment.

3.2. These key objectives are explained in further detail below:

• Ensure compliance with relevant policies, procedures and legislative requirements
• Contribute to the Council’s vision and to provide efficiencies
• Extend collaboration with other public bodies and suppliers
• Ensure key procurement staff are regularly updated with new legislation and changes to legislation
• Embed a clear, informed, systematic, holistic and well-researched decision framework.

• Support achievement of Organisational savings;
• Provide a framework to achieve continuous improvement in procurement activity
• Ensure all supplies, services and works are procured in the most effective and efficient way to maximise and deliver best value to the council
• Regularly review spend data to ensure compliant contracts are in place for external spend, considering whole life costing where relevant and appropriate to balance cost, quality and sustainability
• Improve Contract & Supplier Management approaches to ensure delivery of all benefits
• Support Organisational Climate Action Plan objectives within ethical and sustainable procurement processes.

• Embed sustainable and socially responsible purchasing to reflect the Scottish Model of Procurement and the Council’s Climate Action Plan
• Ensure relevant considerations. Processes and reporting requirements are in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty
• Ensure as far as reasonably practical that payments to Suppliers and Contractors are made no later than 30 days after a valid invoice is presented
• Continue to support and improve access to procurement opportunities for SME’s, including local businesses, third sector bodies and Supported Businesses
• Align to organisational policies, strategies and plans for Sustainability & Carbon Reduction
• Maximise the use of Community Benefits clauses in all appropriate contracts
• Simplify and facilitate procurement processes and procedures to support accessibility for all
• Support delivery of the Digital Strategy transforming public services using digital technology
• Embed sustainability and promotion of ethical working practices as best practice within procurement processes and procedures.

The identified aims, objectives and key priorities support the Procurement Strategy and Governance approach through the Annual Strategy Action plan and are in alignment to Organisational objectives.

Each of the three key objectives above, work to support the four outcomes for Scottish public sector procurement:

• Good for businesses and their employees
• Good for society
• Good for places and communities
• Open and connected.

The importance of public procurement in driving the objectives above are now even more so as we continue recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

4.1. The Council purchases a variety of supplies, services and works across all budget categories.  Approximate, annual spend to third parties totals £224m, dependent on in year capital projects and programme expenditure.

4.2. The Council is committed to paying suppliers within the standard terms, or in alignment to the terms of conditions of contract as relevant to the Supplier/Contractors work package.  We also look to promote this throughout the supply chain. The transfer of the Council’s Accounts Payable Team to the Corporate Procurement Team has supported achievement of this objective.

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Key Purchasing Processes & Systems

Ongoing use of Oracle Fusion continues to improve P2P efficiency and effectiveness. The system captures management information in relation to spend, allowing for transparency, off-contract controls and a robust supplier upgrade of the Oracle Fusion Financial Management System during 2025 will further assist the strategy objectives and risk analysis/impact assessments will feature in the roll out.

Further opportunities will be utilised via the PCS Tender website for Contract and Supplier Management, and Spikes Cavell Observatory to maximise efficient processes and systems. The 2024 Service Review within the Legal & Regulatory Service established key roles and responsibilities to invest in an Organisational approach to Contract & Supplier Management, this will be a key focus of the Procurement Strategy throughout 2025-2026.

The ongoing implementation of the new Financial Management system will further support the Organisations approach to Channel shift whilst delivering an efficient and effective service to our SME’s, Suppliers & Contractors, supporting sustainable economic growth, whilst supporting prompt payment supply chains.

The use of the City Deal Cenefits system to embed, monitor and realise both our City Deal Project Community Benefits, but also consideration of the wider organisational benefits of utilising the system, is a key feature of our forward programme reviews.

Legal and Regulatory Services

Procurement sits within the Legal & Regulatory Service portfolio, and supports a flexible, responsive and adaptive approach to business transformation. The Council is currently working towards it’s Organisation of the Future, and this strategy will be revised in light of these changes.

The remit of Procurement within the Organisation has the following objectives:

• To align resources in a cross-functional approach to identification of improvements with effective and efficient outcomes for the council
• Support the Council’s Transformation programme to identify opportunities and realise benefits
• Review existing Procurement Team to support resource allocation to offer greatest opportunity for commercial improvement  
• To maximise the automation of transactional P2P activities
• Meet the obligations on electronic invoicing in public procurement
• Support the Council’s Climate Action Plan, incorporating Circular Economy, Community Benefits & Social Value, Carbon Management plan, Supplier Development and Local Heating & Energy Strategies.

Resources, processes and procedures will be continually reviewed to ensure delivery of best value whilst maximising opportunities for commercial benefit.

Key Purchasing Processes & Systems 

Quarterly upgrades of Oracle Fusion continues to improve P2P efficiency and effectiveness and will be supported by the continued roll out of e-invoicing and invoice scanning functionality. East Dunbartonshire will be applying a continuous improvement approach to the ongoing opportunities from the Council’s new Financial Management System during the 2025-2026 Financial Year, this project will focus on additional benefits, effective change management, revised governance and ownership of Procurement related workstreams.

Further opportunities will be utilised via the PCS Tender system for Contract and Supplier management approaches and the Cenefits System through City Deal, will support workstreams in alignment to the reviewed resource allocation and Organisational approach.  

The completion of a consolidated systems approach is critical in the progression of the action plan, whilst compliance within legislation will support the channel shift and economic agenda.

Community Benefits 

The establishment of a cross organisational Community Benefits approach within relevant contracts, the Procurement Team have identified the opportunity to expand the work currently underway to raise awareness and opportunity across our Place approach.   

The Community Benefits approach will further support the work of the procurement team and Services to ensure achievement of objectives and legislative requirements. 

Work will continue in support of a Community Wish List approach, this is being progressed within the Glasgow City Region Procurement Support group to establish a consistent and supportive system/process to support our Community Partners, SME’s, Third Sector and Local Community Groups.

Contract & Supplier Management 

Contract & Supplier Management is the responsibility of Services leading the contract, monitoring will be responsibility of the Contract Management Lead role. The revised approach will assist with identification and management of cashable and non-cashable savings opportunities, whilst working with the Services and applying commercial awareness of contracts. Procurement will manage a contract register, identifying key suppliers and supporting Services in appraisal, monitoring and escalation of requirements.

The PCS-T system will be further utilised to support the lifecycle process approach for use across the council 

The Contract & Supplier Management approach will clearly define roles and responsibilities, ensuring a consistent, managed approach across the council, delivering best value from new and existing contracts.

Climate Action Planning

The council’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) covers four key action areas: 

• Firstly, setting a zero direct emissions target date for the Council along with interim targets to progressively reduce our emissions, and setting out the actions necessary to achieve the necessary reductions – this affects emissions including gas heating and fleet
• Secondly, identifying opportunities to reduce indirect emissions – this includes all other emissions from Council operations and activities 
• Thirdly, working with partners across the area to determine a realistic target date when net zero emissions can be achieved across East Dunbartonshire as a whole, and identifying the main actions necessary to support achievement of the target 
• Fourthly, setting out a local strategy to ensure that the Council and wider community are well adapted to cope with a changing climate and are resilient to the future impacts of climate change. 

The Climate Change Plan update and Public Sector Leadership Guidance sets out a range of priority areas for the public sector to focus upon to drive down emissions. These include: 

• Decarbonisation of public sector procurement 
• Emissions reductions from energy efficiency in buildings and from low carbon heat 
• Low carbon transport and active travel 
• Investment in green energy and support for green jobs, training and skills 
• A just transition to a resilient net zero economy.

Procurement are key stakeholders in the above organisational approach and will support ongoing targets.

6.1. The aims, objectives and key priorities of this annual strategy, detailed within the Procurement Action plan (Appendix 4), will be subject to monitoring on an ongoing basis.

6.2. The ongoing review of the Strategy and Procurement Action Plan will ensure delivery against targets. 

6.3. Leadership commitment to delivering improvements through effective and efficient procurement is in place. Core principles for Procurement Leadership and Guidance are to:

• Maintain a clear corporate strategic leadership that covers all procurement activity
• Ensure objectives reflect and support Council core values, aims and objectives
• Clearly defined processes/procedures and delegation of authority for procurement are embedded in Council Standing orders for Contracts and financial regulations
• Implement and monitor the Council’s Procurement Strategy and Action Plan within the Governance Framework approach and Business Improvement Plans
• Ensure procurement procedures reflect developments in legislation and provide a robust framework to support the probity of Council spending
• Protect the Council from challenge by determining officer accountabilities and responsibilities in procurement activity, then monitoring and enforcing compliance.

6.4. In addition to internal reporting procedures, we will consider our participation in the external assessment process facilitated by Scotland Excel, the Procurement and Commercial Improvement Programme (PCIP).

7.1. Please contact the following in relation to the contents of this Annual Procurement Strategy

Kirsty Chisholm, MCIPS
Corporate Procurement Manager

0300 123 4510

Kirsty.chisholm@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

Council Standing Orders apply to all contracts put in place on behalf of the Council for supplies, services and works. Council standing orders take into consideration the provisions of the UK, and Scottish legislation relating to the procurement process. The delivery of the Annual Procurement strategy will ensure the delivery of the Council’s regulated procurements in accordance with the mandatory requirements set out in the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014. The following legislative suite of documents is in support of this:

•    Council Contract Standing Orders 
•    Council Procurement Guidance Notes
•    Financial Regulations 
•    Scheme of Delegation
•    Procurement Strategy and Governance Framework.

The Procurement Strategy and Governance approach embeds national and local policies and strategies in support of organisational performance management. 

The Council’s Governance Framework and Policies capture the required actions from this Strategy.  Procedure and documentation reviews will support the achievement of legislative requirements whilst securing best value. The following documentation supports delivery of this:

• Procurement Strategy and Governance Framework
• Organisational Transformation Business & Improvement Plan 2023-26
• Digital Strategy 2025-2030
• Finance and Procurement Authority Levels
• Procurement Guidance Notes & Standard Operating Procedures
• Web & Hub Guidance 
• Training 
• Change Management
• Fusion System Governance.

Key to the Council’s Policies and procedures are the following, these support and direct internal actions and are central to supporting the Action Plan within the strategy.

• Scottish Model of Procurement
• Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014
• Suppliers Charter
• Procurement Journey
• PCIP
• Public Contracts Scotland
• Public Contracts Scotland – Tender.

Our web pages detail all relevant information in relation to Suppliers/Contractors engaging with East Dunbartonshire Council, full information is available on the Procurement pages. 

Key Strategic procurement areas over the period of the strategy focus on delivery of Operational Objectives and Capital/Transformational projects.

Work to support the capital programme is in place, the following link provides access to the Council’s Contract Register: Access the Council's Contract Register.

This link enables access to our abbreviated contract register and current tender opportunities via a link to the Public Contracts Scotland portal.

The Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 requires a Procurement Strategy to be in place for Regulated Procurements.

Regulated Procurements include Supplies & Services with a total contract value of £50k to the legislative threshold (currently £213,477 incl of VAT) and Works with a total contract value of £2m to the legislative threshold (currently £5,336,937 incl of VAT).

This appendix includes the mandatory requirements for Regulated Procurements and details how this Procurement Strategy will deliver these requirements.

To adopt and implement the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and new Procurement  Regulations.

Performance Indicator: No Legal Challenge

To support the council in achieving benefits and delivering value added procurement.

Peroformance Indicator: Benefits realisation

To support the benefits of a sustainable procurement approach, securing added value to both the council and the community we serve.

Performance Indicator: Benefits realisation