WHAT IS PROCUREMENT?
“Procurement is the process of acquiring goods, works and services, covering both acquisition from third parties and from in-house providers. The process spans the whole life cycle from identification of needs, through to the end of a services contract or the end of the useful life of an asset. It involves options appraisal and the critical “make or buy” decision.”
National Procurement Strategy for Local Government, October 2003
National Context
The above definition of procurement was taken from the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government, which outlined the Government's vision for procurement in local government and sets targets and milestones for these targets to be achieved. A copy of the National Procurement Strategy for Local Government is available from the Communities and Local Government website.
The UK Government has also produced guidance on Sustainable Procurement and over the coming months information on tackling climate change is expected.
Regional Context
The Council is located within the South East Improvement and Efficiency Partnership (SEIEP) region. SEIEP has published it's Improvement Efficiency Strategy for the South East, placing heavy empahsis on procurement as both a means of achieving efficiency savings and as a mechanism for business improvement.
Procurement in Horsham District Council
The Council has revised its Procurement Strategy to reflect the national and regional requirements. To view the Procurement Strategy please click on the link at the bottom of this page.
The Council has also signed up to the Small Business Friendly (SME) Concordat, which outlines a series of commitments in the fair and equal treatment of small businesses wishing to bid for Council work. To view the Small Business Friendly (SME) Concordat please click on the link at the bottom of this page.
In conjunction with Crawley Borough Council and Mid Sussex District Council, the council has appointed a Joint Procurement Adviser, responsible for providing corporate strategic procurement advice and assistance on major projects to the three councils. One of the main objectives for the three councils has been to seek ways of increased collaborative working.
Structure of Procurement in Horsham District Council
The Council operates a devolved purchasing structure with a number of officers operating in a “Lead Buyer” role for specific goods and services. Further information, including contact details, can be found in the Council’s Contracts Register. To view a copy of the Council's Contracts Register please click on the link at the bottom of this page.
To support departments, the Joint Procurement Adviser and the Council has recently appointed a Procurement Officer. To contact the Procurement Team please write to Procurement Officer, Horsham District Council, Park North, North Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1RL, Tel: 01403 215100; email: procurement@horsham.gov.uk
Collaborative Procurement
There are local government procurement networking groups operating across East and West Sussex and the South East region. These groups share best practice, identify areas suitable for collaboration and are striving towards the adoption of common standards in many areas of procurement activity.
Horsham District Council's Procurement Strategy
Horsham District Council's Procurement Strategy (412kb)
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Horsham District Council's Small Business Friendly Concordat
Horsham District Council's Small Business Friendly Concordat (30kb)
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Horsham District Council's Contracts Register
Horsham District Council's Contracts Register (32kb)
This file is a PDF document and may require the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view. You can download this utility by clicking on the left side link.