This presentation will act as a guide to making the most of frameworks agreements, examining the benefits and potential pitfalls of using frameworks. The presentation will also look at when is it right to use a framework and when there are better methods, the different types of framework and how to ensure that you are getting best value through a compliant route.

The EHRC’s non-statutory guidance on procurement is a comprehensive technical guidance aimed at those who procure goods and services on behalf of the public sector. It revises and updates the guidance previously available under the old legacy commissions for Race, Disability and Equal Opportunity. The revision has been extensive, with substantial input from procurement professionals, with the aim of making it concise and practical. It covers both the benefits and relevance of incorporating equality and diversity in these fiscally constrained times and what is needed to demonstrate compliance under the new Equality Duty.

Alan will highlight the key guidance and supporting resources such as the summary guide and training materials. He will also invite feedback and discussion. The intention is that this will be a living document and we are particularly keen to expand the FAQs and build a portfolio of case studies. The workshop will provide an opportunity to try out the training materials.

The EHRC’s non-statutory guidance on procurement is a comprehensive technical guidance aimed at those who procure goods and services on behalf of the public sector. It revises and updates the guidance previously available under the old legacy commissions for Race, Disability and Equal Opportunity. The revision has been extensive, with substantial input from procurement professionals, with the aim of making it concise and practical. It covers both the benefits and relevance of incorporating equality and diversity in these fiscally constrained times and what is needed to demonstrate compliance under the new Equality Duty.

Alan will highlight the key guidance and supporting resources such as the summary guide and training materials. He will also invite feedback and discussion. The intention is that this will be a living document and we are particularly keen to expand the FAQs and build a portfolio of case studies. The workshop will provide an opportunity to try out the training materials.

Size matters – Light Rescue Pumps in the Fire Service

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service have identified, through a large-scale business re-engineering process, the potential for the improved provision of frontline operations in the Fire Service using smaller vehicles rather than standard fire engines. This presentation will explain the thought process behind this fundamental change in service and the challenges to procurement and operations a project of this nature encounters.

Gerard's presentation examines some of the issues that people need to take into account when developing a modern procurement function. It examines extraneous factors i.e. what else is going on that might influence our people – behaviours, options, opportunities? We will also think about how skill sets might change and what kind of behaviours we might need from leaders/managers in the future; we will look at how different levels of procurement capability/maturity require different people and different mindsets. We will also think about who will make up the next generation of supply management professionals and about some practical approaches in the work environment to address the abovementioned issues.

In these difficult times, the Big Society encourages public purchasers to promote opportunities to SMEs and to the voluntary and charity sectors. At the same time, there is a move towards consolidating spend through joint arrangements, sharing services and changing existing contracts. Where a procurement focuses on the main contractor, supply chains may not be visible. This means that the allocation of contract risks, and ability to target specific types of supplier, are often not scrutinised in detail.

David Hansom from Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ national procurement team will be highlighting key areas of risk in supply chain management, how to lawfully target SME and voluntary sector suppliers and the use of other socioeconomic criteria as well as how to deal with supplier change or insolvency within the procurement rules.

This session will be of interest to all those involved in commissioning services, particularly in the health and education sectors, as well as to procurement professionals and private sector suppliers interested in understanding current trends and issues.