This page outlines our procurement priorities for 2008-2011 and shows how procurement will contribute to achieving the aims set out in the London Borough of Waltham Forest priorities and the strategic outcomes of our Corporate Plan.
It emphasizes the importance of cost effectiveness and efficiency and facilitates the Efficiency Review targets to meet the challenges set out in the national agenda for local government.
This Procurement Strategy sets out how the Council, working with partners from the public, private and voluntary sectors, intends to improve its procurement practices. We are committed to using procurement activity to support our wider social and economic objectives such as sustainability, social inclusion and contribution to supporting a diversity of suppliers in the local economy, as well as being committed to promoting equality and tackling discrimination.
The Council’s vision for procurement is to maximise the benefits of applying best practice procurement across the whole of the council in order to ensure value for money services are delivered to our residents and stakeholders.
Our overall aim is to embed sustainable considerations into Waltham Forest spending and investment and ensure that our procurement decisions make more efficient use of public resources and avoid adverse environmental impact within the supply chain.
The Council has set Corporate Procurement a target of making efficiency savings of £2,439 million over the years 2007-2010 and to build capacity to improve value for money. During 2007-2008 Waltham Forest spent approximately £275 million on goods and services as well as works contracts.
This strategy addresses the recommendations of the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government and the Gershon Review of Public Sector Efficiency, and places them in the context of local priorities.
All procurement activities carried out by the Council must conform to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. Procurement decisions are made on the basis of best value for money (most economically advantageous tender in the EU directives and UK regulations).
All public sector procurement is governed by local, national and European regulations. The rules are intended to promote a fair and transparent competitive process. Where the estimated value of a contract is below the EU thresholds, the following processes must be adhered to:
| Contract value | Tendering requirements |
|---|---|
| Up to £250 | There is no formal requirement but best value must be obtained and framework agreements, where they exist, are used |
| Contracts from £250 and under £5000: | Two oral quotes including or in addition at least one local supplier quote, confirmed in writing are required |
| Contracts from £5000 to £75,000 | A minimum of three written quotations are required including or in addition at least one local supplier quote |
| Above £75,000 | Competitive tendering is required |
| Contracts above EU thresholds | Competitive tendering and all EU procurement rules apply. The thresholds are currently: Supplies & service contracts: £139,893 Works contracts: &3,497,313 |
The Council is committed to further promoting Responsible Procurement and achieving further significant efficiency savings and service improvements by taking action across the following strategic themes:
- Cultural shift
- Providing leadership and building capacity
- Partnering and collaboration
- Doing business electronically
- Stimulating markets and achieving community benefits
- Encouraging a diverse base of suppliers
- Sustainability and Climate Change
- Ethical procurement
Read our:
- Procurement Action Plan 2008-2011 (42KB Word file)
- Sustainable Procurement A Strategy for Waltham Forest 2008-11 (96KB Word file)
For more information please email Corporate Procurement
