Local Government Committee backs CCPS call for independent scrutiny of procurement exercises
Posted on Tuesday 02 March 2010
The Local Government Committee of the Scottish Parliament has supported
CCPS’ call for further scrutiny of social care procurement in Scotland,
in order that both the process and the outcome of procurement exercises
can be tested against the objectives that they were intended to meet,
and against the principles set out in draft guidance on social care
procurement currently being consulted on.
In response to a
letter to the Committee from Annie Gunner Logan, CCPS Director, members
agreed that there is a need for detailed independent scrutiny of a
range of procurement exercises already completed in Scotland, with a
focus on issues such as whether the impact on the local market for care
was positive or negative; what effect the procurement had on the
wellbeing of people supported by the services subject to re-tender;
whether individuals and families were appropriately involved and
consulted; whether the risks of the exercise were properly assessed;
whether a council's strategic objectives were met by the exercise;
whether the projected savings were made; whether service quality
improved; whether workforce transfers were handled appropriately; and
whether the procurement as a whole represented value for money.
The
committee will now be writing to SWIA and Audit Scotland to take the
matter forward. CCPS’ letter to the Local Government Committee can be
accessed on the tendering pages of the website, and the official report of the Committee session can be accessed on the Scottish Parliament website .