The drive to improve procurement of digital products and services among public sector organisations is a major part of the agenda to do 'more with less'. Organisations across the country are beginning to take action: breaking away from traditional practices to eliminate lengthy expensive contracts, get better value for money and cut waste. As councils become increasingly innovative, and as more make use of frameworks such as G-Cloud, Local Digital has watched this area with interest, holding a free Hot Topic event last month to disseminate the lessons learned so far and offer a forum for idea sharing. Here are the news highlights.
Tide turning for G-Cloud take up?
Panel debate: 'smart' procurement
The majority of local government attendees of a digital procurement event, with no experience of G-Cloud, said they would now consider using it following the day's briefings from government procurement experts.
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Time for local government to 'get back into driving seat'
A public sector procurement leader working at local and national level has told a group of local government decision makers that the time has come to "get back in the driving seat".
Terry Brewer, Divisional Director Commercial, Contracts & Procurement, London Borough of Harrow told delegates at the recent Local Digital campaign 'hot topic' event on smart procurement that the cost gap between contracts had to close by making procurement processes more transparent and flexible.
Video highlight: London Borough of Harrow and London procurement strategy board.
"Not a case of procurement people telling ICT people what to do"
Terry Brewer, London Borough of Harrow and London procurement strategy board.
Video highlight: Thames Valley Housing.
"One of the big lies of life: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'. But they did"
Jayne Hilditch, Corporate Services Director, Thames Valley Housing.
Video highlight: Crown Representative for SMEs, Cabinet Office.
"Buying from SMEs: my seven steps to success"
Stephen Allott, Crown Representative for SMEs, Cabinet Office.
Video highlight: Government Digital Service.
"Business outcomes matter, not the detailed requirement"
Mark Pinheiro, Head of Procurement, Government Digital Service.
Video highlight: Using cloud email, procured from G-Cloud.
Warwickshire County Council saves time and money through G-Cloud
Tonino Ciuffini, Head of Information Assets, Warwickshire County Council.
What delegates said
Howard Hughes, Corporate Procurement Manager, Watford Borough Council
What speakers said
Gary Griffin, ICT Delivery Manager, London Borough of Havering
