Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial & Capital Strategy.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial & Capital Strategy

That the Commercial Strategy be approved.

Reason for the decision

Being more commercial is a key part of Dorset Councils transformation programme. In approving the revised Commercial Strategy, Cabinet is endorsing the approach of the Council becoming more commercially minded and more business- like in its activities.

Executive Decision - Commercial Strategy - Commissioning & Procurement Overview - Dorset Council

Cabinet considered a report on the approval of the Commercial Strategy – Commissioning & Procurement Overview. Members were advised that Place and Resources Overview Committee had also considered the strategy, making minor amendments which had been incorporated in the final document.

Cabinet members indicated that they were “minded to support” the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial & Capital Strategy

That the Commercial Strategy be approved.

Reason for the decision

Being more commercial is a key part of Dorset Councils transformation programme. In approving the revised Commercial Strategy, Cabinet is endorsing the approach of the Council becoming more commercially minded and more business- like in its activities.

Executive Decision - Commercial Strategy - Commissioning & Procurement Overview - Dorset Council

To consider a report of the Service Manager for Commercial and Procurement.

The committee received and considered a report of the Service Manager for Commercial and Procurement which set out key changes to be made to the council’s current Corporate Procurement Strategy, prior to consideration by Cabinet on 2 November 2021.

Councillors considered the revisions to be made to the document and points were raised in the following areas:

·        Clarification sought on the definition of SME (small to medium size enterprise) as used in the strategy – it was noted that this was a Government standard definition.  This would be checked and updated

·        Appendix A Social Value Evaluation Questions – flexibility was required for use by different size companies

·        Suggestion to include Dorset Council values in the diagram ‘Being more commercially minded’.  This would be added

·        Wording to be added to ‘Principle 1: People, Skills and Development’ to make reference that recruitment should be proportionate and in accordance with the council’s HR policy

·        To add a web link to the council’s equality and diversity policy and check wording was in line with policy

·        Wording to be added to ‘Principle 2: Effective Commissioning’ to set out best value issues

·        ‘Mitigating Fraud and Corruption Risks – an action line would be added in consultation with Legal Services

·        There was potential to work with town and parish councils to achieve economies of scale in procurement

The Executive Director of Corporate Development thanked the committee for their comments and noted that the strategy was to be recommended to Cabinet on 2 November 2021.

‘Minded to’ Recommendation to Cabinet

That Cabinet approves the revision to the current Corporate Procurement Strategy that includes the following key changes:

·            Change of title to “Commercial Strategy – Commissioning and Procurement”

·            Consideration to refer to ‘Principles’ rather than ‘Objectives’

·            Introduction of the concept of “Being more commercially minded” as set out under the programme.

·            Introduction of new objective/principle in respect of “Effective Commissioning” to ensure that cost, quality, environmental and social value are early considerations and not left till procurement.

·            Outlining the requirements of the National Procurement Policy Statement (NPPS).

·            Setting out the requirement for, at an early stage of commissioning, a clear and concise business case.

The points below raised by the Place & Resources Overview Committee:

·        The definition of SME to be checked and updated in the document

·        Addition of Dorset Council values to the diagram ‘Being more commercially minded’

·        Wording to be added to ‘Principle 1: People, Skills and Development’ to make reference that recruitment should be proportionate and in accordance with the council’s HR policy

·        To add a web link to the council’s equality and diversity policy and check wording is in line with policy

·        Wording to be added to ‘Principle 2: Effective Commissioning’ to set out best value issues

·        ‘Mitigating Fraud and Corruption Risks – an action line to be added in consultation with Legal Services

The Executive Director of Corporate Development confirmed the above recommendation to be made to Cabinet.