Scottish Government confirms commitment
to public sector procurement reform

Scottish Government confirms commitment to public sector procurement reform
Ruth Parsons, Head of the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform and Efficiency Group, addressed several hundred delegates at the inaugural Conference and Exhibition of Scotland Excel – the emerging Centre of Procurement Expertise for local authorities – held in Edinburgh on Wednesday 28 November.

She reiterated the Scottish Government’s clear determination to drive forward change in public sector procurement reform: “The Government has closely studied the [National Procurement Reform] Programme set in train by the previous administration and has given it its full endorsement. This includes the creation of Centres of Expertise, which of course includes Scotland Excel.”

Ms Parsons added: “There are clear benefits to working collaboratively at sectoral and national levels. The Scottish Government’s expectation is that all local authorities will engage positively with the Centres of Expertise.”

These statements chime with the earlier key messages delivered by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney to the National Public Sector Procurement Conference last month and in his recent budget statement.

The event, organised by procurement solutions specialists BiP Solutions Ltd, represented an important opportunity for those attending to learn more about Scotland Excel and the important changes ahead for local authorities and suppliers.

Ms Parsons was joined by, among others, David Martin, Chief Executive of Renfrewshire Council and Scotland Excel Project Sponsor and Dorothy Cowie, Director of Scotland Excel.
Summing up the event, Dorothy Cowie said: “Scotland Excel’s inaugural Conference has brought us to a landmark in the creation of a new public sector organisation, designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century procurement landscape. Local authorities have a long history of collaboration but, for the first time, a real opportunity exists to create a platform to raise procurement standards, improve performance and apply consistent practices and procedures for all stakeholders across Scotland. Collaborative working and sharing of best practice is at the heart of the changes, not just between local authorities but for suppliers as well. Scotland Excel will be at the forefront of bringing these changes to fruition and providing an opportunity for local authorities to work together to deliver best value.

“This event has been a great success in bringing the procurement community together. The process of bringing the new organisation into operation by 1 April 2008 is well underway.”