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RESOLVED:
 
1. 
The adoption of the Sustainable Procurement and
Insourcing Strategy 2024, attached as Appendix 1 to this report.
Was approved.

 
2. 
That Council Officers, in consultation with a range of
local partners, will further develop the draft implementation plan
for delivery of the Strategy before we embark on its
implementation, was noted.
 
REASONS FOR DECISION
 
The SPIS brings together the Council’s
approach to insourcing of contracted services and delivery of wider
community benefits into one document, and makes it clear that both
objectives can be delivered in parallel. The Strategy has also been
developed to reflect the Council’s increased commitment to
insourcing, sustainability, and local development.
 
Procurement decisions can have major
socio-economic and environmental implications and benefits, in both
the short-term and long-term. The Procurement function therefore
plays a vital role in furthering sustainable development and
helping the Council achieve its objectives.
 
The Strategy document supports the principles
set out in our environmental sustainability pledges, and seeks to
deliver on the Council’s 2018-2028 Community Strategy
commitments, as well as supporting the delivery of the Economic
Development plan and the Climate Action Plan (CAP). It also
provides clear position statements on our policies and commitments
on new and emerging challenges such as health inequalities and
labour shortages, and seeks to address the following key
issues:
 
· 
Ensuring that all contracted services are reviewed for
insourcing
· 
Increasing the proportion of goods and services procured locally
and sustainably
· 
Promoting Circular Procurement by adopting the principles of
reducing demand, reusing and recycling, with particular reference
to plastics
· 
Tackling Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
· 
Continuing to promote Trade Union recognition in contracted
services, and early consultation with relevant Trade Unions ahead
of insourcing any services
 
The consultation process for the development
of this Strategy has been wide-reaching, and has considered how we
can build on previous achievements and improve based on lessons
learned. The consultation has ensured that the Strategy is
ambitious and fit for purpose, and delivers on the Mayor’s
priorities for the borough. 
 
As the Strategy is implemented and delivered,
it will show how it has been designed to reflect the future of
procurement in the public sector in terms of emerging best
practice, legislative requirements and an ambition to improve upon
the benefits being delivered to local communities, residents, and
businesses through our procurement activities.
 
In terms of legislation and other regulatory
framework, the Strategy has been developed within the context of
relevant statutory obligations and guidance including but not
limited to:
 
· 
Equality Act 2010
· 
Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012
· 
Modern Slavery Act 2015 
 
There are no direct financial implications
from this report and for this version of the Strategy, and it is
not anticipated for any future alterations over the life of its
delivery.
 
DETAILS OF ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND
REJECTED
 
The alternative option to the adoption of this
Strategy is to work to the existing Sustainable Procurement
Strategy. However, the existing Strategy was designed to be
delivered from 2018-2022, and is therefore now outdated. While the
principles outlined in the existing Strategy are still important
and relevant, there is scope for working to more ambitious targets,
and there is also work taking place across the Council that should
be highlighted more explicitly in the Strategy (e.g. work to tackle
modern slavery). The new Strategy amalgamates both Sustainable
Procurement and Insourcing commitments as opposed to having
separate policy documents. Therefore, the option of continuing to
work to the existing Strategy was therefore rejected.