approaches, improvements to commercial governance and the implementation of a new Source-to-Contract system.
1.6. The report also provides an overview of the Council's contracts pipeline, contract award activity, direct awards, approach for VCSE and SME participation, social value delivery and emerging areas of commercial focus, including agency labour expenditure and contract compliance.
N/A
That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee:
3.1. Note the progress made in strengthening commissioning, procurement and contract management arrangements across the Council.
3.2. Note the progress achieved through the Commissioning Modernisation Programme.
3.3. Note the ongoing Procurement Effectiveness Review that has recently commenced.
3.4. Note the proposed future work relating to category management, social value, supplier transparency, SME and VCSE participation and commercial governance.
3.5. Note the emerging priorities identified within this report and provide feedback on future reporting requirements.
4.1. The Council continues to operate within a challenging financial environment whilst maintaining a strong focus on delivering quality services and positive outcomes for residents. Effective commercial management has an increasingly important role in supporting the Council to achieve these objectives.
4.2. Nationally, the public procurement landscape has undergone significant change through the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023. Contracting authorities must have regards to the importance of-