Maidenhead & Windsor

Getting a better deal on its 'shopping' bill is already resulting in significant savings for the Maidenhead Royal Borough – and the aim is to make even more efficient use of council money in the future.

A new Maidenhead procurement strategy is on its way to next week's cabinet meeting (Thursday July 27), setting out how the council will build on the savings successes so far and continue to broaden its buying power – in conjunction with other local authorities, partner organisations and the voluntary/community sector – to bring about even more efficiencies in the future.

Cllr David Eglise, lead member for Maidenhead resources, said: "The council spends over £86 million a year on buying the goods and services we need to deliver continually improving services to local residents. By using innovative procurement methods we can make our available funds work harder for us to get the best possible value for money.

"This doesn't necessarily mean always taking the lowest price. We are mindful that we are providing services people depend on so we need good quality, but at a price that gives us best value for money. That's why our work with other councils and organisations to increase buying power is an important part of our procurement strategy.

"Improving the way the council procures goods and services is one of the key elements of our Delivering Excellence programme, with the added benefit of making more money available for front-line services."

The report to cabinet shows that since the setting up of the procurement unit and the introduction of the first procurement strategy last year Maidenhead council has seen significant savings – over £1.5 million so far.

Initially work concentrated on contracts for goods such as stationery, computer products and paper – but even more efficiencies are now emerging through acquiring services from outside providers, such as social care and some school transport services.

Almost all of Maidenhead council's managers have an on-line purchasing system 'marketplace' for ordering items like stationery and ink cartridges straight from their desks – at discount prices.

Now an integral part of the council's financial planning, the procurement strategy promotes a council-wide approach to buying that reduces bureaucracy and form-filling and also uses new electronic techniques to buy on-line (e-procurement). In fact the borough's head of procurement, Gary Richardson, is taking the e-procurement lead in the South-East Centre of Excellence (SECE), which represents 74 local authorities. The borough is also leading a joint project to procure a common IT system for libraries.

Maidenhead Cllr Eglise added: "The Royal Borough's approach to procurement is quickly becoming recognised for its excellence and has attracted funding to lead on joint arrangements for all 74 councils in the south east – many councils are now looking to our methods as examples of best practice."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead