Changes to procurement rules must deliver for the North East

12 Mar 2021 12:21 PM

On Wednesday 10 March, NEPO submitted the North East response to the Government’s Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper consultation. Working with local authorities, businesses and other key stakeholders the regional response outlines how the proposed changes can best work for the North East and deliver economic growth.

The changes proposed by Government have been broadly welcomed in the region. Simplifying the regulations, enhancing transparency and shifting to a more innovative approach will help achieve the wider aims of Government policy. Publishing the National Policy Procurement Statement will further enhance the delivery of the wider levelling up and net zero ambitions.

To ensure that contracting authorities can maximise the opportunities in the new regulatory framework more support needs to be provided. The constraints that some authorities are under need to be addressed to fulfil the aspirations of the Green Paper especially at a local level.

Nicola Shelley, Managing Director, NEPO said:

“There’s no doubting that procurement will play a central role in the economic recovery. Across the North East £2bn of the £3bn spent by local authorities stays in the region. Leveraging this spend to support regional businesses and local communities will help us go even further.

“The proposals in the Transforming Public Procurement Green Paper are a good start in helping the region achieve this. Simplifying the regulatory framework, enhancing transparency and shifting to a more innovative approach are all welcomed.

“To truly deliver for the North East more needs to be done to address the concerns around capacity and resourcing at a local level. To ensure that all Contracting Authorities can maximise the opportunities in the new regulatory framework and ensure compliance it is imperative that more support is provided to upskill both staff and suppliers.

“NEPO is delivering an ambitious collaborative procurement programme with the twelve local authorities in the North East. We look forward to working with Government to ensure that the aspirations of the Green Paper and wider procurement changes are delivered.”

Click here to download the submission.