APPENDIX ONE
Memorandum submitted by Bristol City Council
1. There are a number of strategies from
different government departments such as DEFRA, IdEA and the ODPM
and also one from WRAP that is funded by the Government. Whilst
these do provide some guidance there is no single comprehensive
guidance source. Local authorities are left to produce their own
guidance from all of the different sources and are able to implement
sustainable procurement to whatever extent they choose. If national
government wishes to drive a consistent and serious approach to
sustainable procurement, it must provide greater leadership and
direction, measuring outcomes.
2. The Buying Green report is an excellent
resource with lots of helpful information. The EU regulations
do allow for environmental considerations within procurement,
but neither they nor the UK national Government require environmental
issues to be considered during procurement. There is an opportunity
for central government to set out its expectations through stronger
policy messages.
3. The main focus of the Gershon Review
is administrative efficiency in all public services, where procurement
plays an important but relatively minor part, although there is
scope to consider sustainability through the review. A multi-year
plan for public spending within departments, the implementation
of e-procurement and including value for money as part of the
Comprehensive Performance Assessment will all help to achieve
sustainable procurement. On the other hand, short-term cost cutting
and increased use of consortia may have a detrimental affect on
sustainable procurement if stakeholders are not consulted on environmental
considerations when building specifications.
27 January 2005
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