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Corporate Procurement Unit
Published: 09/05/2014
The merger of two council corporate procurement units could be in the final
stages if the case for amalgamation is approved at a Cabinet meeting in
Flintshire on Tuesday (13 May) and at Denbighshire County Council later this
month.
The Joint Corporate Procurement Unit (JCPU) would combine the buying power of
two councils, Flintshire County Council and Denbighshire County Council, making
savings and increasing the ability to negotiate contracts and prices.
For the last two years the organisations have been working together on a trial
basis with a joint management arrangement; these plans will extend the
arrangements, with a full merger of the procurement teams, with Denbighshire as
the host authority. There will be a joint management board with equal
representation from both councils and the new business model will aim to make
savings of £2m for Flintshire.
A strong procurement unit can address a number of issues – saving money by
using larger contracts, supporting the local economy through using smaller
contracts and increasing local control to benefit communities through using
social benefit clauses.
Between them, the two North Wales councils spend £220m per year and creating a
single team will reduce duplication and increase productivity.
Councillor Billy Mullin, Cabinet Member for Corporate Management said:
“Improvements need to be made to Flintshire Council’s procurement service and
this business case aims to provide a more focussed approach whilst making the
savings needed. All local authorities are facing the same challenges and by
working in partnership together with Denbighshire we can offer joined up
services that benefit both councils.”