Public Procurement and Property

What does sustainable procurement mean to you?

March 21, 2023 by Melissa Reilly No Comments | Category Community Wealth building, Procurement news, Sustainable Procurement

Last month we published Scotland’s journey of achieving sustainable procurement outcomes 2002-2022: independent review.

Following on from the Review publication and a short video with Mr McKee and Mr Arthur, we are delighted to publish the second video in the series.

This highlights video features peers from across the public sector who contributed to the Review research consultation: Scottish Prison Service, Renfrewshire Council and Link Group.

In the coming weeks we will share more in-depth videos with each contributor. Watch the short video below, a transcript is available at the bottom of this page.

Whilst this Review looks back at the past 20 years, we are always looking to the future to drive forward the power of procurement. Look out for the first-ever Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland being published later this year as a roadmap for the next 5 years.

• Find out more via the “Creating jobs through public spending” News Release on gov.scot
• Read the full Review on gov.scot
• Readers may be interested in contributing to the live Community Wealth Building consultation which is live until 25 April 2023.

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For further information on public procurement in Scotland please visit www.gov.scot/procurement

Please email enquiries to scottishprocurement@gov.scot

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Multi speaker transcript:

Bridget Lambert: Sustainable procurement to me is smart procurement, and it’s ethical procurement.

It’s procurement that means that we can actually buy our goods, our services, our works, but add value as well as social value for the communities, for the people who live in Renfrewshire.

Andy Door: Sustainable procurement is about, is good procurement it’s about value for money.

It’s considering not only cost and quality, but all facets of sustainability and buying decisions.

Andy Jack: Sustainable procurement means taking account of social, environmental and economic considerations in our purchasing choices.

Bridget Lambert: Community benefits are incredibly important in procurement.

They provide an opportunity for us to make the most use of our contracts to give something back to people, not just the things that are being delivered.

Because you’re building a new school, obviously that’s a great benefit for the community, but let’s actually have a think about how we can work in partnership with the contractor to bring something back into the communities where we’re doing the development.

Grant Alexander: Community benefits are important in procurement because what it does is allow us to realise the additional value that can be brought about from our contracts.

Andy Door: SPS is in the business of unlocking potential and transforming lives.

It’s a challenging agenda, and my colleagues certainly don’t take that lightly.

I think though, in the context of community benefits I’m very proud, and I think we need to be proud of where it has impacted individuals.

Two aspects for me. One is where it’s not just about counting outputs

from community benefits but it’s actual outcomes for individuals.

Disadvantaged groups, those in or leaving custody and where the impact has been transformational for them as individuals.

That’s what SPS and our suppliers should take pride from.

Tags: good for places and communities, good for society, open and connected, Review, sustainable procurement

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