Agenda item

To accept and approve the Procurement Strategy 2026 – 2031 (Appendix 1).

To grant the Head of Corporate Services the authority to make operational adjustments to the Strategy as the need arises to ensure compliance with statutory guidance (such as the statutory guidance of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act).

The report was submitted by Cllr Llio Elenid Owen.

DECISION

To accept and approve the Procurement Strategy 2026 – 2031 (Appendix 1).

To grant the Head of Corporate Services the authority to make operational adjustments to the Strategy as the need arises to ensure compliance with statutory guidance (such as the statutory guidance of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act).

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, detailing the Procurement process, namely the securing of goods, services or work for the Council's services. It was highlighted that it was a key part of the Council's activity.

The importance of the Council having a Procurement Strategy was stated. It was noted that this would be a statutory requirement in the near future, and it ensured that the Council got the best value for public funds and ensured the best quality for the people of Gwynedd.

It was identified that the Council spent around £200 million per year on procurement activities. The need to source the goods, services or work for the best price was emphasised, whilst also ensuring the best quality. It was also highlighted that there was a need to address other objectives, such as decarbonisation and securing social value - the Strategy set the direction and vision to enable this to happen.

Reference was made to the 7 priorities included in the Strategy, highlighting that every priority field had been identified as a key area in the context of procurement in Cyngor Gwynedd. The fields included in the report were listed.

It was confirmed that the Procurement Strategy had been submitted to the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee in October 2025, and the Scrutiny Committee had resolved to accept the Strategy and the report.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       Members gave thanks for the strategy, and it was asked how the Council measured the value of procurement. It was noted that the department had a measure in terms of the local benefit, which was measured regularly through performance challenge arrangements. It was added that the Strategy provided an opportunity to look at other fields across the Council where procurement affected them and develop measures to accompany those priorities. It was highlighted that value for money was a factor here, as well as social value, which included several further measures. It was noted that the Strategy provided an opportunity to measure the value of procurement in various fields across the Council.

·       It was asked about the use of Welsh for suppliers, highlighting that this matter had been raised by the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee also. It was stated that legal advice had been received, and that this was being implemented as far as possible. ⁠The Welsh language was a requirement in several contracts, so it was noted that the intention was to follow that as far as possible. 

·       Reference was made to the 7 priorities, questioning whether there was a main priority from the 7 noted. It was stated that the main priority was to "make the most of the value of the pound in Gwynedd" as noted on the front of the Strategy, and it was mentioned that these 7 priorities were unique to Gwynedd. 

·       It was asked whether any tensions were arising between the priorities. It was stated that tensions were inevitable and something that the procurement category teams had to be cautious of.

·       It was asked how the barriers were now being identified and reduced, moving forward. Identifying the contracts likely to be set were mentioned, and then for the companies to be guided through the arrangements, discussing any possible barriers that were likely to arise. It was added that a review was being completed once the tendering process had been completed, in order to assess the support given to the local companies. 

·       Attention was drawn to the praise that had been received about this procurement process.

·       It was reiterated that the main discussion of the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee were comments about the Welsh language in relation to the procurement arrangements.