5
There was submitted a report by the Chief Executive of Scotland Excel relative to the organisation’s response to the consultation on ‘Assessing the impact of the Procurement Reform Act’ published by the Economy and Fair Work Committee in June 2023.
The report intimated that the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 introduced a range of duties on public bodies to consider how procurement could be used to improve the wellbeing of local areas including the impact on the economic, social and environmental health of the area. The Act also sought to reduce barriers to entry for small businesses, third sector organisations and supported businesses to participate in public procurement.
The report advised that the consultation sought views on a broad range of themes covered by the Act to assess whether it was achieving these aims. The draft response to the consultation was appended to the report.
It was noted that, since publication of the report, further feedback had been received and would be included in the response to the Economy and Fair Work Committee.
It was proposed that the following wording be added to question 10 of the response: ‘That as part of the UK’s exit from the EU the opportunity to simplify procurement mechanisms relating to the creation of contracts for alternative energy sources be considered.’. This was agreed.
DECIDED:
(a) That the content of the report be noted;
(b) That it be noted that the further feedback received would be included in the response to the Economy and Fair Work Committee;
(c) That the following wording be added to question 10 of the response: ‘That as part of the UK’s exit from the EU the opportunity to simplify procurement mechanisms relating to the creation of contracts for alternative energy sources be considered.’; and
(d) That the response, as amended, be submitted to the Economy and Fair Work Committee.