Report of Strategic Lead Commissioning, Integrated Commissioning and Procurement  

This report provides an update on the steps being taken in relation to the Council’s procurement and more widely to reduce carbon emissions – specifically emissions associated with the goods, services and works that the council ‘consumes’.

The Committee considered the report of Strategic Lead Commissioning, Integrated Commissioning and Procurement     that provided an update on the steps being taken in relation to the Council’s procurement and more widely to reduce carbon emissions, specifically emissions associated with the goods, services and works that the council ‘consumes’.

Key points and themes in the report included:

·         Providing an introduction and background, with a definition of the different emission categories;

·         Discussion of the main issues across a range of different activities;

·         Providing examples; and

·         Discussion of the current challenges, with particular reference to the measurement of Scope 3 emissions.

Some of the key points that arose from the Committee’s discussions were: -

·         What monitoring of contracts was undertaken to ensure they were compliant with the 10% environmental weighting in evaluations;

·         Was 10% environmental an appropriate weighting;

·         Welcoming the information provided that small organisations, including VCSE organisations were putting forward good scoring bids and demonstrating carbon reduction plans;

·         An update was requested on the training given to commissioners and procurement staff;

·         A view was sought as to the government developing a new procurement portal system in preparation for the Procurement Bill coming into force; and

·         Noting that contractors that included vehicle use should be encouraged to adopt appropriate driving practices to reduce environmental impacts.

The Strategic Lead Commissioning responded to the Members comments by stating that all contracts were monitored in accordance with the usual contract management protocols. He advised that dialogue and engagement with providers was important adding that Construction and Highways had a bespoke tool to measure and monitor projects. He stated that the 10% weighting was an appropriate level, commenting that any more could risk quality. He added that no other Authority required more than 10%. He advised that Manchester had led on this approach and positive outcomes were being realised. He acknowledged the comments raised regarding VCSE organisations, stating that a number of engagement events had been delivered and good practice shared. He stated that this approach complimented the VCSE Grant Funding programme so that a consistent message regarding climate change was delivered.

The Strategic Lead Commissioning stated that specific training had been delivered to Commissioners, Contract Managers and Procurement Staff in relation to the 10% environmental weighting. He reported that this built upon the Carbon Literacy Training that had been undertaken by all staff. He stated that the feedback from staff had been very positive, and the intention was to establish an e-learning package for staff, in addition to the informal support that was provided to staff.

The Strategic Lead Commissioning responded to the concern expressed by the Chair in regard to the new government procurement portal. He stated that the exact details were currently unknown, however representation had been made regarding the need to acknowledge local prioritise.

In reply to the discussion regarding specific driving practices he stated that he would look into this following the meeting, however commented that in the example referred to, monitoring data would be built into the contract and specialist software would be used to identify the most efficient routes to realise emissions savings.

Decision

To note the report.