Buying Better Outcomes
- Mainstreaming Equality Considerations in Procurement
View scheduled dates
"The public sector spends in the
region of £220 billion each year procuring goods and services.£42
billion of that is spent by local authorities alone - almost 20% of
the national procurement spend."
Hansard, 24 April 2012
The public sector procurement function has many obligations to
fulfil and many directives to follow.
However, it is clear that public
bodies must have 'due regard' to their duty to eliminate unlawful
discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations through
their procurement function.
When procuring goods and services, the
public sector has a responsibility to consider benefits to wider
society, to obtain value-for-money and to comply with its legal
obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (Section
149).
Achieving value-for-money whilst also
delivering wider benefits such as SMART equality objectives often
go hand in hand. Procuring goods and services that make a positive
difference by recognising and responding to the diverse needs of
communities and individuals is what good procurement is all about.
The Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012 now requires public
authorities to have regard to economic, social and environmental
well-being in connection with public services contracts.
Making public contracting
opportunities accessible to all types of businesses,
including those owned by people from ethnic minority
communities, women and disabled people, means that every supplier
who can offer real benefits and value-for-money has a chance to
compete according to their merits.
Similarly, encouraging supply chain
partners to advance equality and diversity within their workforces,
through diverse skills and talents, will bring benefits for
customers and users of public services.
A good corporate approach brings
together equalities, procurement and service managers. With this in
mind we would like to invite you to a collaborative, participative
event to be held at Tyne & Wear Fire & Rescue Service HQ in
Washington from 10:00 - 16:00 on Thursday 21 June
2012.
Public sector delegates representing
the equality, procurement and corporate services functions will be
in attendance and speakers from the Equality and Human
Rights Commission and the North East Procurement
Organisation will provide information, advice and guidance
about the law and delivering public services through commissioning
and procurement in the North East. You'll also hear from a local
public sector organisation committed to 'advancing equality and
diversity in its supply chain' through its equality objectives.
A detailed programme will be
circulated approximately 2 weeks prior to the event but those
wishing to attend are encouraged to register now by following this
link.
Scheduled dates
| Dates: | 21 June 2012, 10am to 4pm |
| Venue: | Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Force HQ, Barmston Mere, Sunderland
|
| Price: | £0 (plus VAT) per person. Free to attend |
| To book a place follow this link or call us on 0191 516 6464 |
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