Sustainable procurement

Procuement strategy

The National Procurement Strategy for Local Government, launched by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) in 2003, gave a new direction to public sector procurement (purchasing of goods, works and services).

An emphasis was placed on the principle of obtaining best value for money using a combination of whole life costs and benefits. Clear guidance was given to local government to build sustainability into its procurement strategy, processes and contracts.

We launched our own procurement strategy in June 2004, alongside guidance concerning the principles and practice of sustainable procurement.

Since this time, we have been working to embed the principles of sustainable procurement into both major tenders, such as Private Finance Initiative Projects (dealing with waste management or new social care buildings), and individual contracts dealing with service provision (such as food contracts for school meals).

Corporate procurement

As outlined above, we wanted to examine how some of its wider policy objectives could be achieved through procurement.

In particular, we wanted to find out if it was possible to help to deliver some of our rural regeneration, economic development and climate change policies through its procurement activities; especially large projects or large scale construction works.

To this end, guidance on 'achieving community benefits and sustainability through procurement' was developed and adopted as part of our procurement strategy. These guidelines give an indication of how to procure more sustainable products, works or services for both the benefit of local communities and the wider environment.

New clauses are being developed. They will be inserted into contracts on a case by case basis, with detailed research work often taking place before major projects. Some of the projects that we have influenced include:

• The new waste transfer station at Battlefield, Shrewsbury. A ground source heat pump heats the office building; rainwater is collected for washing down vehicles; and a reed bed filters impurities out of run-off water before it is further treated and released into the watercourse.
• The new contract for fresh fruit and vegetables and the fresh meat for school meals. A new emphasis was placed on fresh seasonal produce; and clauses to reduce waste generation and transport impacts have been developed.

How to find out more

To find out more about our procurement activities or to read the strategy and associated guidance follow the link on this page. There is also a link to information on food procurement and our policies on purchasing food for school meals.

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