Leeds City Council’s Approach to Sustainable Procurement

1. Leeds City Council’s Approach to Sustainable Procurement Tony Wiltshire Director Yorkshire and the Humber Centre of Excellence United Kingdom Seminar on Green Public ProcurementBucharest, 30-31 October 2007

2. Sustainable Procurement • What is sustainable procurement? • Why is it important to Leeds City Council?

3. Benefits to sustainable procurement • Helps to meet sustainability targets • Helps organisations to comply with environmental law • Sustainable products can reduce costs • Helps to manage risks and reputation • Helps ensure security of supply • Contributes towards other organisational objectives

4. Sustainable procurement

5. Economic

6. Environmental

7. Social

8. Internal drivers Targets set for sustainable procurement

9. Procurement Strategy 2005-08 • Socially responsible procurement featured heavily in the strategy with goals relating to; • Equality and diversity • Regeneration • Environmental management • Fair trade • Ethical procurement

10. Nottingham Declaration Nottingham Declaration signed 5 June 2006. Leeds City Council has agreed to develop plans with partners and local communities to address the causes and impacts of climate change.

11. External drivers • The UK Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy ‘Securing the Future’ was published in 2005 and set the goal for the UK to be a leader in sustainable procurement across the EU by 2009. • The Sustainable Procurement Task Force was formed the same year to devise an Action Plan to realise this goal

12. Sustainable Procurement Task Force Key Recommendations; • Lead by example • Set clear priorities • Raise the bar • Build capacity • Remove barriers • Capture opportunities

13. Flexible Framework

14. Achievements – Policy and context • Specific posts on organisational structure to develop socially responsible procurement agenda • Sustainable Procurement Working Group established Partnership arrangements set up with organisations to develop / progress this agenda • Involvement in national / regional approaches • ‘Passport to the Environment’ aimed at suppliers

15. Achievements - Contracts • Developed and rolling out SRP Toolkit council wide • Including clauses in contracts to achieve added value (community benefits) • Tender specifications include environmental, economic and social considerations • Guidance documents for suppliers • Annual open day for suppliers

16. Achievements – Capacity building • Held ‘Masterclass’ in Sustainable Procurement • Recycling Action Yorkshire awareness sessions • Developed a Green Buyers Guide • Contract Information System for officers to source suppliers • Quick Guide to Sustainable Procurement

17. Key Issues for Leeds • Build capacity and raise awareness • Engage in dialogue with suppliers • Need strong and visible commitment from leaders of council • Integrate sustainability into all aspects of procurement process • Develop practical tools to deliver economic, environmental and social benefits • Identify key priority spend areas • Showcase and recognise best practice

18. Challenges for local councils • EU and UK legislation restrictions • Council budget holders consider short term view instead of longer term benefits • Perceived as conflicting with value for money and efficiency agenda

19. What you can do… • Research best practice • Work with suppliers • Develop relationships with organisations that have similar goals • Train officers to develop awareness • Build sustainable options into tender specifications and contracts • Baseline your performance so you know where you are starting from • Ask for help/advice when you need it

20. Questions? tony.wiltshire@yhcoe.org.uk