H Carr, Head of Strategic Procurement gave a presentation on the National Care Home Contract (NCHC); the Care and Support Services National Framework; Early Learning and Childcare; Secure Care and the rising costs of care.

An update was provided on the continuing negotiations in relation to the NCHC.  CoSLA was due to consider recommendations on 28 February 2020 with mediation being considered if there was not resolution.

DECIDED: That the presentation and update in relation to the National Care Home Contract be noted.

The Strategic Procurement Manager gave a presentation on school food and feeding the mind which provided an overview of the food frameworks; information on where Scotland Excel were; Scottish spend statistics; SME engagement; the barriers faced and the role of procurement; where Scotland Excel are now; upcoming changes to nutritional requirements for food and drink in schools; and future goals and aspirations.

DECIDED: That the presentation be noted.

There was submitted a report by the Clerk regarding the job title for the most senior officer in the Scotland Excel structure.

The report intimated that the post of Director of Scotland Excel had been created when the organisation was established in 2008 and, at that time, the job title reflected the title of the most senior officer’s post in the predecessor organisation, the Authorities Buying Consortium, on which Scotland Excel’s governance was initially based.

The role of the Director was set out in Scotland Excel’s governance documents and was defined as the officer appointed by the joint committee to have overall responsibility for the operational performance of Scotland Excel.  There had been significant changes to the landscape in which Scotland Excel operated since its inception in 2008, and this had demanded that the Director operated at a much more strategic level, engaging national and local stakeholders in the development of Scotland Excel, the promotion of excellence in strategic procurement in local government and a much more proactive relationship with industry and suppliers.

The original focus of the Director’s role had been primarily to get the organisation set up and running effectively but the role was now key in supporting and leading emerging policy agendas for both local and national government.  The proposed revision of the job title more accurately reflected the strategic nature of the role and the level of stakeholder engagement and influencing required.  In these circumstances, it could be considered important to support the profile of the post in that environment as it continued to change, that the lead officer for Scotland Excel be also given the title of Chief Executive. The change in title of the post would not involve a regrading of the post and should the proposal be supported by the Group, the Clerk submit a report to the next meeting of the Executive Sub-Committee to agree the change in job title.

DECIDED: That the proposal that the job title for the post of Director of Scotland Excel be retitled as Chief Executive of Scotland Excel be supported and that the Clerk submit a report to the next meeting of the Executive Sub-committee to seek agreement for the change in job title.