There were no conflicts of interest intimated prior to the commencement of the meeting.

There was submitted the Minute of the meeting of the Chief Executive Officers Management Group (CEOMG) held on 24 March 2021.

DECIDED: That the Minute be approved. 

J Welsh, Director of Scotland Excel, gave a presentation on key developments within Scotland Excel and the recent challenges which had been faced.

The presentation provided information in relation to workforce development; the blended working model being used and the future requirements for office space; improvements to income streams following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions; increases in procurement costs for construction and food sectors; social care procurement; and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

DECIDED:

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That the recommendation that Councils use Scotland Excel's New House Building Framework be noted.

H Carr, Head of Strategic Procurement, gave a presentation in relation to social care.

The presentation provided information in relation to progress around the payment of the £500 award to social care staff; the Competition and Markets Authority's study on the lack of availability and increasing costs in children’s social care provision; implications of the Feeley Review into adult social care; and the payment of the real living wage within the care sector.

DECIDED:

(a) That the presentation be noted; and

(b) That Scotland Excel would continue to engage with councils and key partners to consider future direction and draft a response to the adult social care consultation.

There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel providing an
update on generating additional funding through a series of income generating projects.

The report provided information in relation to planned income streams, including consultancy services, the Scotland Excel academy, associate membership, the New Build Housing Framework and rebates; the continued development of the income stream strategy; the functions of the Income Review Board; and the results of a recent internal audit.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the report be noted; and

(b) That Scotland Excel would be supported in its endeavours to achieve financial sustainability by (i) encouraging their organisations to make use of the New Build Housing Framework; (ii) encouraging the use of existing services such as The Academy and consultancy services; (iii) promoting associate membership; and promoting additional services on offer from Scotland Excel.

S Brannagan, Head of Customer and Business Services, gave a presentation on a sector skills analysis which had been carried out.

The presentation provided information in relation to capacity and capability within the procurement sector; the development of procurement professionals through the Procurement Development Framework; capacity of outside organisations and the use of an agency model; and options and directions for the future.

DECIDED: 

(a) That the presentation be noted; and

(b) That a report be submitted to the next meeting to provide further detail on the options for improving procurement capacity within Local Government going forward.

DECIDED: That it be noted that the next meeting of the group would be held at 10.00
am on 18 August 2021.