Procurement policy
Objectives of the policy
'To obtain best value for the Council through planned and informed management of the procurement of goods, services and works to the benefit of Liverpool's citizens, business community and visitors.'
Principles
The Council will:
- Ensure that all procurement activity complies with corporate aims and objectives
- Ensure as appropriate, that procurement is based upon innovative and flexible arrangements, in which both the council and suppliers seek to gain maximum mutual advantage through long term relationships and continuous improvement.
- Ensure that continuous improvements in local sustainability are gained when undertaking any procurement activity.
- Give due consideration to all workforce issues when undertaking any procurement activity.
- Give due consideration to opportunities for social enterprise in any appropriate procurement activity.
- Make best possible use of e-procurement, maximise purchasing power and harness any economies of scale which may be achievable.
- Ensure that rules for true and fair competition are engaged in all procurement activity.
Leadership and responsibility
It shall be a requirement that:
- Member responsibility for procurement and its strategic implementation will be with the Executive member for Resources and be scrutinised by the Resources Select Committee.
- Officer responsibility for compliance with this policy will rest with the Executive Director, Resources.
- All procurement activity across the Council must comply with procedures approved by the Executive Director, Resources and best practice processes identified by the Procurement Support Unit.
- Project management target setting and performance monitoring will be the responsibility of the individual procurement sponsors who will provide feedback to the Procurement Support Unit.
Process Management
In managing procurement processes it is required that:
- Records and procedures set out in any Procurement Code of Practice are properly maintained, decisions are recorded and clear audit trails exist in order to ensure openness, propriety and probity.
- Resources relating to procurement will be kept under review as part of the Best Value processes and the use of electronic means to reduce acquisition and transaction costs will be vigorously pursued.
Rules and best practice
The following rules and best practice shall apply:
- The rules for procurement will be those determined by EC and UK law, standing orders and those set out in a corporate Code of Practice.
- Any corporate Code of Practice will be constantly reviewed to ensure continuous improvement. Responsibility for this will rest with the Procurement Support Unit.
- In dealing with suppliers and providers, the Council will ensure that there is an equal opportunity for all who meet the stated criteria, to participate in tendering for any Council requirements.
- The Council will undertake to train officers responsible for procurement in best practice techniques.
- The Council will strive to achieve the proposed best practice targets set for BV8 (National Best Value Performance Indicator for percentage of invoices paid by the Council within 30 days).